Study of Rocket Theory
Appendix E
ROCKET THEORY
Rocketry encompasses a wide range of topics, each of which takes many years of study to master. This chapter provides an initial foundation toward the study of rocket theory by addressing the physical laws governing motion/propulsion, rocket performance parameters, rocket propulsion techniques, reaction masses (propellants), chemical rockets and advanced propulsion techniques. matter, which depends on both how much and how fast propellants are used (mass flow rate) and the propellant’s speed when it leaves the rocket (effective exhaust velocity).
Like other forms of transportation, rockets consist of the same basic elements such as a structure providing the vehicle framework, propulsion system providing the force for motion, energy source for powering the vehicle systems, guidance system for direction control and last and most important
(indeed the reason for having the vehicle at all), the payload. Examples of payloads are passengers, scientific instruments or supplies. When a rocket is used as a weapon for destructive purposes, we call it a missile; its payload is a warhead. PROPULSION BACKGROUND
Rockets are like other forms of propulsion in that they expend energy to produce a thrust force via an exchange of momentum with some reaction mass in accordance with Newton’s Third Law of
Motion. But rockets differ from all other forms of propulsion since they carry the reaction mass with them (self contained) and are, therefore, independent of their surrounding environment.
Other
forms of propulsion depend on their environment to provide the reaction mass. Cars use the ground, airplanes use the air, boats use the water and sailboats use the wind.
The rockets we are most familiar with are chemical rockets in which the propellants (reaction mass) are the fuel and oxidizer.
ROCKET PHYSICS
With chemical rockets, the
Fig. 5-1. Sir Isaac Newton propellants are also the
Sir Isaac Newton
ROCKET THEORY
Rocketry encompasses a wide range of topics, each of which takes many years of study to master. This chapter provides an initial foundation toward the study of rocket theory by addressing the physical laws governing motion/propulsion, rocket performance parameters, rocket propulsion techniques, reaction masses (propellants), chemical rockets and advanced propulsion techniques. matter, which depends on both how much and how fast propellants are used (mass flow rate) and the propellant’s speed when it leaves the rocket (effective exhaust velocity).
Like other forms of transportation, rockets consist of the same basic elements such as a structure providing the vehicle framework, propulsion system providing the force for motion, energy source for powering the vehicle systems, guidance system for direction control and last and most important
(indeed the reason for having the vehicle at all), the payload. Examples of payloads are passengers, scientific instruments or supplies. When a rocket is used as a weapon for destructive purposes, we call it a missile; its payload is a warhead. PROPULSION BACKGROUND
Rockets are like other forms of propulsion in that they expend energy to produce a thrust force via an exchange of momentum with some reaction mass in accordance with Newton’s Third Law of
Motion. But rockets differ from all other forms of propulsion since they carry the reaction mass with them (self contained) and are, therefore, independent of their surrounding environment.
Other
forms of propulsion depend on their environment to provide the reaction mass. Cars use the ground, airplanes use the air, boats use the water and sailboats use the wind.
The rockets we are most familiar with are chemical rockets in which the propellants (reaction mass) are the fuel and oxidizer.
ROCKET PHYSICS
With chemical rockets, the
Fig. 5-1. Sir Isaac Newton propellants are also the
Sir Isaac Newton
References: Asker, James R., “Moon/Mars Prospects May Hinge on Nuclear Propulsion,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, December 2, 1991, pp Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, MA, 1970. Jane’s Spaceflight Directory, Jane’s, London, 1987. Sutton, George P., Rocket Propulsion Elements, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986. Wertz, James R., and Wiley J. Larson, ed., Space Mission Analysis and Design, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, MA, 1991.