Best-selling classic text covering all major aspects of rocket propulsion, now updated to cover the latest industry trends

Building on the success of the previous editions, the Tenth Edition of Rocket Propulsion Elements offers a thorough introduction to the basic principles of rocket propulsion, a description of the various components of rocket propulsion systems, and an understanding of how rocket propulsion is applied to flight vehicles. The strength of the book lies in its delivery of both theory and practical applications, covering rocket propulsion for guided missiles, space flight, and satellite flight clearly and comprehensively.

This Tenth Edition includes the latest advances in the field, such as improvements in materials, systems design, applications, propellants such as chemical propellants, manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing, rocket-stage recovery and reuse, and new types of launch vehicles. Older system types that have fallen out of use are replaced with updated examples of systems representative of those used in the industry today. New problems are introduced in each chapter, and the book is accompanied by an online gas dynamics and two-stage flight vehicle calculator.

Rocket Propulsion Elements includes information on:

• Liquid, solid, and hybrid chemical propulsion and electric propulsion concepts, illustrated using detailed examples
• Nozzle theory and thermodynamic relations, covering isentropic flow, nozzle configurations including cone- and bell-shaped nozzles, and nozzle alignment
• Flight performance, covering launch vehicles and satellite systems, basic relations of motion, space flight maneuvers, and flight stability
• Liquid propellants, covering liquid oxidizers, fuels, and monopropellants as well as safety and environmental concerns
• Thrust chambers, propellant feed systems, and turbomachinery, covering materials, fabrication, and heat transfer analysis
• Solid propellant fundamentals, properties of energetic materials, combustion stability, and construction of solid propellant rocket motors

Rocket Propulsion Elements is an excellent learning resource for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in the fields of mechanical and aerospace engineering taking courses related to rocket propulsion, spacecraft propulsion, or advanced space propulsion. The book is also useful for practicing engineers and scientists in aerospace related industries and research and development firms.

PREFACE TO THE 10TH EDITION xv

In Memoriam George Paul Sutton (1920–2020) / xvii

1 Classification 1

1.1. Jet Propulsion / 2

1.2. Rocket Propulsion / 5

Chemical Rocket Propulsion / 5

Combinations of Air-Breathing Jet Engines and Rocket Motors / 8

Nuclear Rocket Engines / 10

Electric Rocket Propulsion (EP) / 11

Other Rocket Propulsion Concepts / 12

International Rocket Propulsion Effort / 13

1.3. Applications of Rocket Propulsion / 14

Space Launch Vehicles / 14

Spacecraft / 19

Military and Other Applications / 20

References / 23

2 Definitions and Fundamentals 25

2.1. Definitions / 25

2.2. Thrust / 29

2.3. Exhaust Velocity / 31

2.4. Energy and Efficiencies / 32

2.5. Multiple Parallel Propulsion Systems / 35

2.6. Typical Performance Values / 36

2.7. Variable Thrust / 37

Symbols / 38

Greek Letters / 39

Problems / 39

References / 41

3 Nozzle Theory and Thermodynamic Relations 42

3.1. Ideal Rocket Propulsion Systems / 42

3.2. Summary of Thermodynamic Relations / 44

3.3. Isentropic Flow Through Nozzles / 47

Velocity / 48

Nozzle Flow and Throat Condition / 52

Thrust and Thrust Coefficient / 56

Characteristic Velocity and Specific Impulse / 59

Under- and Over-expanded Nozzles / 61

Influence of Chamber Geometry / 65

3.4. Nozzle Configurations / 66

Cone- and Bell-Shaped Nozzles / 66

3.5. Real Nozzles / 73

Boundary Layers / 73

Multiphase Flow / 75

Other Phenomena and Losses / 76

Performance Correction Factors / 76

3.6. Nozzle Alignment / 81

Symbols / 82

Greek Letters / 83

Subscripts / 83

Problems / 84

References / 86

4 Flight Performance 88

4.1. Gravity-Free Drag-Free Space Flight / 88

4.2. Forces Acting on a Vehicle in the Atmosphere / 91

4.3. Basic Relations of Motion / 94

4.4. Space Flight / 100

Elliptical Orbits / 103

Deep Space / 106

Perturbations / 107

Mission Velocity / 110

4.5. Space Flight Maneuvers / 112

Reaction Control System (RCS) / 115

4.6. Effect of Propulsion System on Vehicle Performance / 117

4.7. Flight Vehicles / 119

Multistage Vehicles in Series / 120

Stage Separation / 121

Launch Vehicles / 124

4.8. Military Missiles / 127

4.9. Flight Stability / 130

Symbols / 131

Greek Letters / 132

Subscripts / 133

Problems / 133

References / 134

5 Chemical Rocket Propellant Performance Analysis 136

5.1. Background and Fundamentals / 137

5.2. Analysis of Chamber or Motor Case Conditions / 143

5.3. Analysis of Nozzle Expansion Processes / 147

5.4. Computer-Assisted Analysis / 150

5.5. Results of Thermochemical Calculations / 151

Symbols / 162

Greek Letters / 163

Subscripts / 163

Problems / 163

References / 164

6 Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine Fundamentals 165

6.1. Types of Propellants / 168

6.2. Propellant Tanks / 171

6.3. Propellant Feed Systems / 176

Local Pressures and Flows / 177

6.4. Gas Pressure Feed Systems / 178

6.5. Tank Pressurization / 183

Factors Influencing the Required Mass of Pressurizing Gas / 185

Simplified Analysis for the Mass of Pressurizing Gas / 186

6.6. Turbopump Feed Systems and Engine Cycles / 187

Engine Cycles / 188

6.7. Rocket Engines for Maneuvering, Orbit Adjustments, or Attitude Control / 196

6.8. Engine Families / 199

6.9. Valves and Pipelines / 200

6.10. Engine Support Structure / 204

Symbols / 205

Subscripts / 206

Problems / 206

References / 208

7 Liquid Propellants 210

7.1. Propellant Properties / 214

Economic Factors / 214

Performance of Propellants / 214

Common Physical Hazards / 215

Desirable Physical Properties of Propellants / 217

Ignition, Combustion, and Flame Properties / 218

Property Variations and Specifications / 219

Additives / 219

7.2. Liquid Oxidizers / 219

Liquid Oxygen (O2) (LOX) / 220

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) / 221

Nitric Acid (HNO3) / 221

Nitrogen Tetroxide (N2O4 or NTO) / 222

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) / 222

Oxidizer Cleaning Process / 223

7.3. Liquid Fuels / 223

Hydrocarbon Fuels / 223

Liquid Hydrogen / 224

Hydrazine (N2H4) / 225

Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine [(CH3)2NNH2] / 226

Monomethylhydrazine (CH3NHNH2) / 226

Metallic Hydrogen / 226

7.4. Liquid Monopropellants / 227

Hydrazine as a Monopropellant / 227

7.5. Gaseous Propellants / 230

7.6. Safety and Environmental Concerns / 231

Symbols / 232

Greek Letters / 232

Problems / 232

References / 234

8 Thrust Chambers 237

8.1. Injectors / 237

Injector Flow Characteristics / 246

Factors Influencing Injector Behavior / 248

8.2. Combustion Chamber and Nozzle / 250

Volume and Shape / 250

Heat Transfer Distribution / 252

Cooling of Thrust Chambers / 253

Hydraulic Losses in the Cooling Passage / 258

Thrust Chamber Wall Loads and Stresses / 259

8.3. Low-Thrust Rocket Thrust Chambers or Thrusters / 262

8.4. Materials and Fabrication / 265

Additive Manufacturing of Rocket Engine Components / 271

8.5. Heat Transfer Analysis / 272

General Steady-State Heat Transfer Relations / 272

Transient Heat Transfer Analysis / 276

Steady-State Transfer to Liquids in Cooling Channels / 278

Radiation / 281

8.6. Start-up and Ignition / 282

8.7. Useful Life of Thrust Chambers / 285

8.8. Random Variable Thrust / 286

8.9. Sample Thrust Chamber Design Analysis / 287

Symbols / 296

Greek Letters / 297

Subscripts / 297

Problems / 297

References / 300

9 Liquid Propellant Combustion and its Stability 303

9.1. Combustion Process / 303

Injection/Atomization zone / 304

Rapid Combustion Zone / 306

Streamtube Combustion Zone / 306

9.2. Analysis and Simulation / 306

9.3. Combustion Instability / 307

Rating Techniques / 313

Control of Instabilities / 314

Symbols / 317

Problems / 317

References / 318

10 Turbopumps and their Gas Supplies 320

10.1. Introduction / 320

10.2. Descriptions of Several Turbopump Assemblies / 321

10.3. Selection of Turbopump Configuration / 325

10.4. Flow, Shaft Speeds, Power, and Pressure Balances / 329

10.5. Pumps / 330

Classification and Description / 330

Pump Parameters / 331

Influence of Propellants / 336

10.6. Turbines / 338

Classification and Description / 338

Turbine Performance and Design Considerations / 340

10.7. Approach to Turbopump Preliminary Design / 341

10.8. Gas Generators and Preburners / 344

Symbols / 345

Greek Letters / 346

Subscripts / 346

Problems / 346

References / 347

11 Engine Systems, Controls, and Integration 350

11.1. Propellant Budget / 350

11.2. Performance of Complete or Multiple Rocket Propulsion Systems / 352

11.3. Engine Design / 355

11.4. Engine Controls / 361

Control of Engine Starting and Thrust Buildup / 363

Automatic Controls / 368

Control by Computer / 369

11.5. Engine System Calibration / 371

Engine Health Monitoring System / 375

11.6. System Integration and Engine Optimization / 377

Symbols / 378

Greek Letters / 378

Subscripts / 378

Problems / 378

References / 379

12 Solid-propellant Rocket Motor Fundamentals 381

12.1. Basic Relations and Propellant Burning Rate / 388

Mass Flow Relations / 390

Burning Rate Relation with Pressure / 391

Burning Rate Relation with Ambient Temperature (Tb) / 394

Variable Burning Rate Exponent n / 397

Burning Enhancement by Erosion / 398

Other Burning Rate Enhancements / 400

12.2. Other Performance Issues / 401

12.3. Propellant Grain and Grain Configuration / 405

Slivers / 412

12.4. Propellant Grain Stress and Strain / 413

Material Characterization / 414

Structural Design / 416

12.5. Attitude Control and Side Maneuvers with Solid-Propellant Rocket Motors / 422

Symbols / 423

Greek Letters / 425

Subscripts / 425

Problems / 425

References / 427

13 Solid Rocket Propellants 431

13.1. Classification / 431

13.2. Propellant Characteristics / 436

13.3. Hazards / 442

Inadvertent Ignition / 442

Aging and Useful Life / 443

Case Overpressure and Failure / 443

Detonation Versus Deflagration / 444

Hazard Classification / 444

Insensitive Munitions / 445

Upper Pressure Limit / 447

Toxicity / 447

Safety Rules / 447

13.4. Propellant Ingredients / 447

Inorganic Oxidizers / 452

Fuels / 453

Binders / 453

Burning-Rate Modifiers / 454

Plasticizers / 454

Curing Agents or Crosslinkers / 454

Energetic Binders and Plasticizers / 455

Organic Oxidizers or Explosives / 455

Additives / 456

Particle-Size Parameters / 456

13.5. Other Propellant Categories / 458

Gas Generator Propellants / 458

Smokeless or Low-Smoke Propellant / 459

Igniter Propellants / 460

13.6. Liners, Insulators, and Inhibitors / 460

13.7. Propellant Processing and Manufacture / 463

Symbols / 466

Greek Letters / 466

Problems / 466

References / 468

14 Solid Propellant Combustion and its Stability 472

14.1. Physical and Chemical Processes / 472

14.2. Ignition Process / 475

14.3. Extinction or Thrust Termination / 476

14.4. Combustion Instability / 478

Acoustic Instabilities / 478

Analytical Models and Simulation of Combustion Stability / 481

Combustion Stability Assessment, Remedy, and Design / 482

Vortex-Shedding Instability / 484

Problems / 485

References / 485

15 Solid Rocket Motor Components and Design 488

15.1. Rocket Motor Case / 488

Metal Cases / 491

Wound-Filament-Reinforced Plastic Cases / 494

15.2. Nozzles / 496

Classification / 496

Design and Construction / 498

Heat Absorption and Nozzle Materials / 502

15.3. Igniter Hardware / 507

Pyrotechnic Igniters / 508

Pyrogen Igniters / 509

Igniter Analysis and Design / 511

15.4. Rocket Motor Design Approach / 512

Symbols / 518

Greek Letters / 518

Subscripts / 518

Problems / 519

References / 520

16 Hybrid Propellants Rocket Propulsion 523

16.1. Applications and Propellants / 525

16.2. Hybrid Rocket Engine Interior Ballistics / 528

16.3. Performance Analysis and Grain Configuration / 531

Dynamic Behavior / 533

16.4. Design Example / 535

16.5. Combustion Instability / 539

Symbols / 542

Greek Letters / 543

Problems / 543

References / 544

17 Electric Propulsion 547

17.1. Ideal Flight Performance / 552

17.2. Electrothermal Thrusters / 556

Resistojets / 556

Arcjets / 558

17.3. Nonthermal Electrical Thrusters / 562

Electrostatic Devices / 562

Basic Relationships for Electrostatic Thrusters / 563

Electromagnetic Thrusters / 569

17.4. Optimum Flight Performance / 575

17.5. Mission Applications / 579

17.6. Electric Space-power Supplies and Power-conditioning Systems / 580

Power Generation Units / 581

Power-Conditioning Equipment (PCU or PPU) / 583

Symbols / 584

Greek Letters / 585

Problems / 586

References / 588

References for Table: 17–7 / 590

18 Thrust Vector Control (TVC) 591

18.1. TVC Mechanisms with a Single Nozzle / 593

18.2. TVC with Multiple Thrust Chambers or Nozzles / 601

18.3. Testing / 603

18.4. Integration with Vehicle / 605

Problems / 606

References / 606

19 Selection of Rocket Propulsion Systems 608

19.1. Selection Process / 610

19.2. Criteria for Selection / 614

19.3. Interfaces / 616

19.4. Cost Reduction / 616

19.5. Optimization Results / 618

References / 620

20 Rocket Exhaust Plumes 621

20.1. Plume Appearance and Flow Behavior / 621

Spectral Distribution of Radiation / 627

Multiple Nozzles / 630

Plume Signature / 630

Vehicle Base Geometry and Recirculation / 631

Compression and Expansion Waves / 632

20.2. Plume Effects / 633

Smoke and Vapor Trails / 633

Toxicity / 634

Noise / 634

Spacecraft Surface Contamination / 635

Radio Signal Attenuation / 636

Plume Impingement on Structures / 637

Heat Transfer to Clusters of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines / 637

20.3. Analysis and Mathematical Simulation / 638

Problems / 638

References / 639

21 Rocket Testing 641

21.1. Types of Tests / 641

21.2. Test Facilities and Safeguards / 643

Monitoring the Environment and Controlling Toxic Materials / 646

21.3. Instrumentation and Data Management / 648

Measurement System Terminology / 649

Test Measurements / 650

Health Monitoring System (HMS) / 651

21.4. Flight Testing / 652

21.5. Postaccident Procedures / 652

Symbols / 653

References / 653

Appendix 1 Conversion Factors and Constants 655

Conversion Factors (Arranged Alphabetically) / 655

Constants / 657

Appendix 2 Properties of the Earth’s Standard Atmosphere 658

Appendix 3 Summary of Key Equations for Ideal Chemical Rockets 659

Appendix 4 Rockets Book Calculator 662

Index 665