Motivation

Rocket propulsion is a key technology in the areas of space exploration, commercialization of space and automotive vehicle restraint systems. Space exploration has seen a renewed interest in light of the results of the Mars Pathfinder mission. The primary obstacle that has prevented man from walking on the surface of Mars is the propulsion system requirements. In terms of the commercialization of space, the recent explosion in communications technology has put an unprecedented demand for communication satellite launches. And, every automobile sold in this country includes two solid rocket motors that are used to rapidly inflate the air bags. Clearly, it is of vital importance to the national interest that we educate a new breed of rocket scientist. This is particularly important today, since many of the early pioneers in rocket propulsion are no longer with us.

Additional Reading: Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff, Bantam Books, 1979.

Instructor:

Anthony J. Marchese, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Road
Glassboro, NJ 08028-1701

Office: 235 Rowan Hall
Email address: marchese@rowan.edu
Telephone: (609) 256-5343
Fax:              (609) 256-5241

Office Hours:

Tuesday 3:30 - 5:30

Course Objectives

Rocket propulsion draws on the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, chemistry, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. By definition, the Rocket Propulsion course is an application based course which uses these principles to design propulsion systems. At the conclusion of the course, each student will be able to:

• Analyze the performance of an ideal rocket engine.

• Select propellants and choose a rocket propulsion system based on mission requirements.

• Perform thermochemical calculations (by hand or using the NASA CEC program) to determine the rocket chamber temperature and chemical composition for any propellant combination.

• Explain the difference between frozen and shifting equilibrium nozzle flow and calculate specific impulse for both limiting cases.

• Design a liquid propellant rocket engine by considering the propellant combination, combustion chamber, injector, igniter, nozzle, heat transfer and cooling characteristics.

• Design a solid propellant rocket motor based on the propellant combination, burning rate laws and grain design.

• Design a hybrid rocket motor based on the propellant combination, burning rate laws and grain design.

Attendance at each class is required. Class participation is a key component of the course grade since the majority of the work will be geared toward the semester design project. If you cannot make it to class, you must contact me prior to class. The class meets only once a week, so 1 absence = 3 absences in a typical class. Accordingly, missing more than 2 classes is grounds for failure. Notebooks and calculators should be brought to each class.

Senioritus?

You know I love you guys…but don't blow off this class! If you get an F in this class, you do not graduate. 

Course Outline
 
 

Week	Date(s)	Text	Topics	Homework
1	Jan. 17	Notes	Introduction, Historical Perspective and Film	Syllabus hw 1
2	Jan. 24	Ch. 2	Fundamentals and Thrust Equations	week 2 notes
3	Jan. 31	Ch. 5	Flight Performance, Mission Perspective, Single and Multistage Rockets	week 3 notes hw 2
4	Feb. 7	Ch. 3	Analysis of an Ideal Rocket	week 4 notes hw 3
5	Feb. 14	Ch. 3	Basic Design of a Rocket (Example)
6	Feb. 21	Ch. 3	Departure from Ideal Conditions: Nozzle Shape, Sommerfield Criterion
7	Feb. 28	Ch. 6	Thermochemical Performance of Chemical Propellants
8	Mar. 7	Ch. 6	Thermochemical Performance of Chemical Propellants
9	Mar. 14	Ch. 7	Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
10	Mar. 21		Spring Break
11	Mar. 28	Ch. 10	Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
12	April 4	Ch. 11	Solid Propellant Rocket Motors
13	April 11	Ch. 11	Solid Propellant Rocket Motors
14	April 18	Ch. 15	Hybrid Rocket Motors
15	April 25	Ch. 15	Hybrid Rocket Motors

Last updated: January 17, 2001