Air Augmented Rocket Propulsion Concepts

Abstract

This report presents the results of a study of five combined cycle propulsion systems capable of accelerating a single stage vehicle with lifting surfaces from ground launch to Earth orbit. The engines studied were airbreathing, rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) engines. 'Combined Cycle' engines integrate airbreathing and rocket propulsion systems into a single engine system. These engines transition from initial air-augmented rocket mode takeoff and initial acceleration to ramjet to scramjet and finally to rocket propulsion to orbital insertion velocity. Engine systems, engine/vehicle integration, vehicle structure, propellant storage systems and thermal protection system (TPS) design, sizing and weight estimation, overall performance on various trajectories, and ground support systems were studied. A technology assessment, subscale engine test plan, development program plan and life cycle costs estimates are presented. Keywords: Air augmented rockets, Ramjets, Scramjets, Orbit on demand, Combined cycle engines, Space vehicles.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADB121965

Entities

People

  • J. W. Robinson
  • R. W. Foster
  • W. J. Escher

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computer Programs
  • Control Systems
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Gas Turbine Nozzles
  • Heat Transfer
  • Hybrid Power
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Payload
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster