Space Propulsion II

 

Content

The lecture Space Propulsion II deepens individual aspects of chemical propulsion systems. In particular, combustion instabilities and the ignition of chemical propulsion systems are discussed. In the following the basics of electric propulsion are presented. For satellites and spacecraft, electric thrusters for special applications offer a promising alternative to chemical drives due to their specific properties. Technical concepts and historical examples of nuclear rocket propulsion will be explained and an introduction to the basics of nuclear physics will be given. The presentation of a selection of historical and current operational launcher systems will broaden the view from the engine to the overall system. Space debris is increasingly becoming a boundary condition that influences the planning of missions and the resulting requirements for the launchers and engines.

 

Topics

• chemically reactive gases
• combustion instabilities
• ignition processes
• structural mechanical problems
• electric propulsion
• nuclear propulsion
• system analysis of rocket motors
• launchers
• space debris