Rocket Propulsion Fall 2005

Space Shuttle Main Engine

Rocket Propulsion

0910412 / 0910512

Catalog Description: Rocket propulsion is a key technology in the areas of space exploration, commercialization of space and even terrestrial systems such as automotive vehicle restraint systems. Space exploration has seen a renewed interest in light of recent unmanned Mars missions. However, 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.

Textbook: George P. Sutton, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Seventh Edition, Wiley, 2000.

Instructor: Anthony J. Marchese Download Course Syllabus here

Office: 235 Rowan Hall
Phone: (856) 256-5343
Email: marchese@rowan.edu

home and 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.
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.
Build and test a 5 lbf thrust hybrid rocket motor. Measure specific impulse, characteristic exhaust velocity, thrust coefficient and compare to theoretical calculations

course outline and notes

homework assignments

NASA CEA Code

rocket of the week

links and combustion research

rules and grading

Rowan University • 201 Mullica Hill Road • Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 • Phone / 856.256.5343
Contact marchese@rowan.edu with questions, problems or comments.
©2005 Anthony J. Marchese.


Space Shuttle Main Engine	Rocket Propulsion 0910412 / 0910512 Catalog Description: Rocket propulsion is a key technology in the areas of space exploration, commercialization of space and even terrestrial systems such as automotive vehicle restraint systems. Space exploration has seen a renewed interest in light of recent unmanned Mars missions. However, 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. Textbook: George P. Sutton, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Seventh Edition, Wiley, 2000. Instructor: Anthony J. Marchese Download Course Syllabus here Office: 235 Rowan Hall Phone: (856) 256-5343 Email: marchese@rowan.edu
home and 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. 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. Build and test a 5 lbf thrust hybrid rocket motor. Measure specific impulse, characteristic exhaust velocity, thrust coefficient and compare to theoretical calculations
course outline and notes
homework assignments
NASA CEA Code
rocket of the week
links and combustion research
rules and grading
Rowan University • 201 Mullica Hill Road • Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 • Phone / 856.256.5343 Contact marchese@rowan.edu with questions, problems or comments. ©2005 Anthony J. Marchese.