Liquid rocket engine performance assessment in the context of small launcher optimisation

Abstract

The paper presents a fast mathematical model that can be used to quickly asses the propulsive characteristics of liquid propelled rocket engines. The main propulsive parameters are computed using combustion surfaces obtained after a nonlinear data fitting analysis. This approach is much more time efficient than using standard codes which rely on frequent calls of the Fuel Combustion Charts and interpolating their data. The tool developed based on the proposed mathematical model can be used separately or it can be integrated in a multidisciplinary optimisation algorithm for a preliminary microlauncher design.

Keywords

• rocket propulsion
• specific impulse
• nonlinear surface fitting
• small launchers
• multidisciplinary optimisation
• mathematical model