Rocket Propulsion Basics

10 Pages

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1. 1. Momentum and Thrust

2. 2. The Full Thrust Equation

3. 3. Exhaust Velocity and Energy

4. 4. Specific Impulse

5. 5. Acceleration and Gravity Losses

6. 6. The Ideal Rocket Equation

7. 7. Simple Rocket Equation Calculations

8. 8. Why Staging Works

9. 9. Nozzles and Expansion

10. 10. Solid, Liquid, and Hybrid Engines

1. 1. Momentum and Thrust

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Can a rocket push itself forward in empty space?

Why is higher exhaust speed useful?

Thrust:

Momentum:

Mass flow rate:

Weight:

Thrust:

Momentum:

Mass flow rate:

Weight:

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2. 2. The Full Thrust Equation

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Why does the same engine make more thrust in vacuum?

Can pressure thrust be negative?

Momentum thrust:

Pressure thrust:

Exit pressure:

Ambient pressure:

Momentum thrust:

Pressure thrust:

Exit pressure:

Ambient pressure:

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3. 3. Exhaust Velocity and Energy

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Is exhaust velocity the same as rocket speed?

Why are light exhaust molecules helpful?

Exhaust velocity:

Kinetic energy:

Combustion temperature:

Molecular mass:

Exhaust velocity:

Kinetic energy:

Combustion temperature:

Molecular mass:

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4. 4. Specific Impulse

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Why is specific impulse measured in seconds?

Does higher specific impulse always mean a better rocket?

Specific impulse:

Standard gravity:

Effective exhaust velocity:

Propellant efficiency:

Specific impulse:

Standard gravity:

Effective exhaust velocity:

Propellant efficiency:

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5. 5. Acceleration and Gravity Losses

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Why does a rocket accelerate more near the end of a burn?

Can a rocket lift off with a thrust-to-weight ratio of exactly 1?

Net force:

Acceleration:

Thrust-to-weight ratio:

Gravity loss:

Net force:

Acceleration:

Thrust-to-weight ratio:

Gravity loss:

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6. 6. The Ideal Rocket Equation

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Why does the rocket equation use a logarithm?

Does the ideal rocket equation include air drag?

Delta-v:

Initial mass:

Final mass:

Mass ratio:

Delta-v:

Initial mass:

Final mass:

Mass ratio:

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7. 7. Simple Rocket Equation Calculations

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Why convert \(I_{sp}\) into \(v_e\) first?

If ideal delta-v is 2,247 m/s, is that the final altitude?

Performance budget:

Natural logarithm:

Dry mass:

Wet mass:

Performance budget:

Natural logarithm:

Dry mass:

Wet mass:

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8. 8. Why Staging Works

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Why not build a rocket with many tiny stages?

Does the first stage need high specific impulse?

Stage:

Dead weight:

Stage separation:

Total delta-v:

Stage:

Dead weight:

Stage separation:

Total delta-v:

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9. 9. Nozzles and Expansion

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Why are vacuum nozzles bigger than sea-level nozzles?

Does a nozzle create energy?

Nozzle throat:

Expansion:

Supersonic flow:

Overexpanded flow:

Nozzle throat:

Expansion:

Supersonic flow:

Overexpanded flow:

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10. 10. Solid, Liquid, and Hybrid Engines

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Why are solid rockets common as boosters?

Why do spacecraft often use liquid engines?

Solid motor:

Liquid engine:

Hybrid engine:

Throttle:

Solid motor:

Liquid engine:

Hybrid engine:

Throttle:

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