Chapter 3.

Powered flight and Thrust

control

1
 Powered flight and Thrust control
The propellants require very large thrust because it has to
overcome the gravity and air resistances. And also the total
mass of aircraft is largest at initial takeoff state.
In this case, the single stage rocket is inefficient, so it is
designed to two or four stages and it requires the thrust vector
control system to control the flight direction and flight
attitude.

2
 3.1
Key definition

3
 Key definition
4 . Specific impulse
Specific impulse : thrust(F) per unit mass flow rate of exhaust gas( )m p I s F
m p g c
Unit : second [sec]

It shows the efficiency level of propellants

solid propellant and liquid propellant : 200~480 s

m p u j uj
Is = = [sec]
m p g c gc

F : thrust [kgm/s2 or N]
uj : jet speed [m/s]
gc=m :p Gravity coefficients [m/s2]
: mass flow rate of propellant gas
 Key definition
5 II. Specific impulse of turbo jet
F
= u j - ua ( ua : flying speed )
m p

Turbo jet Speed limit : aircraft speed is below exhaust

Ram jet
jet speed
Ram jet : The specific impulse increase bec
ause the degree of pressure rise increases
Chemical rocket with increasing flight speed.
Rocket : completely independent with atm
ospheric air F /m p = u j = constant
Completely operated by action and reaction
While the exhaust gas is injected, continuously
Fig. 3-1 Specific impulse characteristics in the accelerated. So theoretically, flight speed is unl
propulsion system imited.
 Key definition
6 III. Total impulse

Refer to Eq. 3-3, Eq3-4 and Fig. 3-2

Although the thrust is designed constantly,

in real test, thrust is not constant.
Also it is very difficult to measure the mas
s flow rate of propellant gas, . m p
Fig. 3-2 Impulse with thrust So to obtain the average Is, calculates impu
performance curve
lse It using integration of the thrust-time c
(3-3)
urve tested in ground combustion.

(3-4) And then combusts the rocket.

 Key definition
7 IV. Configuration of the aircraft

structure + propellant + payload

(payload)
The initial mass of the rocket vehicle, m0,
m0 = m p + m s + m P / L

Total mass of the rocket vehicle after com

(propellant) bustion, mf , (in case of all of propellants are burne
d)
m f = ms + m P / L = m0 - m p
(structure)

Fig. 3-3 basic configuration of

the rocket vehicle
 Key definition
8 V. Flight performance of the rocket vehicle

R= (3-5) Flight performance of the rocket

vehicles is significantly affected
MR = by the mass ratio, R, that is the r
atio of the initial mass of aircraft
Payload ratio, and the total mass after complete
= = (3-6) combustion of propellant.

Structural coefficient,
Excellent rocket institutions
= == (3-7) Propellant mass fraction , mass
ratio R, Payload are designed large
Propellant mass fraction, The small structural coefficient is
better but sacrifice the strength if the
= == (3-8) is too small.

From equation (3-5), (3-6), (3-7)

R= (3-9)
 Key definition
9 VI. Multi stage roket

Explanation of symbols are in p. 97

Payload ratio of stage i, i
i =

Structural coefficient of stage i, i

i ===

The mass ratio of stage i, Ri

Ri = =

Fig. 3-4 configuration of Multistage

rocket
 Key definition
10 VII. Example
Lets get the various coefficients of Scout propellant. (P.98)

Table 3-1 The specifications of the Scout propellant

Initial mass
Propellant mass
Structure mass
Thrust
Burning time

The structure coefficient i and mass ratio Ri is calculated from table 3-1
 Key definition
11 VII. Example
 Key definition
12 VII. Example

Empty mass Propellant mass Thrust Burnout time Burnout velocity Burnout Altitude

Fuel Oxidizer

Equipment

Apollo
spacecraft

Solution
 Key definition
13 VII. Example

Thrust Burnout Burnout

Total mass Propellant mass Burnout time Specific impulse
velocity Altitude

Solution
 3.2
Thrust Analysis

14
 Thrust Analysis
15 I. Thrust Analysis
Thrust expression of rocket propulsion
Set the control volume
Use the momentum conservation
Decomposition of forces.
Momentum equation of x-direction

(3-13)

Fx : x-direction force
: density of operation fluid
ux : x-direction velocity
V : volume
m
: mass flow rate
 Thrust Analysis
16 I. Thrust Analysis

Steady flow, ux=uj=constant.

Control surface
(3-14)

Rocket system
Composition of the force
F x = F + ( Pa - Pe ) Ae (3-15)

Coupling Eq. 3-14 and 3-15 then,

Atmosphere pressure ujm
= F + ( Pa - Pe ) Ae
Nozzle exit pressure
or,
(3-16)
Nozzle exit area F = ujm
+ ( Pe - Pa ) Ae
Exhaust mass flow rate Effectiveness thrust
Pressure thrust Atmosphere pressure loss
Exhaust jet
velocity
Thrust force
Define the equivalent exhaust velocity as
Pe Pa
< Fig. 3-5 > rocket thrust & control volume u e qu j Ae (3-17)
m

Then F m
ue q (3-18)
 Thrust Analysis
17 II. Take-off acceleration of aircraft
When the aircraft takes off on ground, it
must be F/W > 1 (thrust-to-weight-ratio)
at least.
F - mg = ma

Take-off acceleration of aircraft is;

F F
a= - g = g ( - 1)
m W

g : gravity of the earth

W : weight of the aircraft (=mg)
 Thrust Analysis
18 III. Optimum thrust
It seems that thrust F is high at Pe > Pa, but actually, there is optimum thrus
t at Pe = Pa
Thrust at optimum nozzle
F = m u j (3-20)

Because atmospheric pressure is highly depending on the altitude, nozzles

used in space launch vehicles or high-altitude exploration rockets cant ma
intain an optimal state.

(1) Under expansion (Pe>Pa) (2) Over expansion (Pe<Pa)

< Fig. 3-6 > volume expansion of the nozzle
 Thrust Analysis
19 IV. correction of divergence angle
There are not so much exhaust gas flow along the x-direction uniformly in
general used nozzles.

So, we have to do the correction of divergence angle in calculating the effe

ctiveness thrust.

Please refer to page. 104

 Thrust Analysis
20 IV. correction of divergence angle

F u x dm
Ae
Small mass-flow flows across small area,
dm e u e dA
dA 2RdR
And, sin
R l sin Re
sin d
Re
dR ld d
sin d

So, sin
dA 2Re2 d
sin d
 Thrust Analysis
21 IV. correction of divergence angle

Re2
dm 2eue ( 2 ) sin d
sin d
Integrate the divergence angle from 0 to d ,
Re2
dm = dm = 2e ue sin2 d (1 - cos d )
Re2 1 1 + cos d
dm = 2e ue2 [
sin2 d 2
(1 - cos d )( 1 + cos d )] = m
ue (
2
) = m ue F

So, correction of divergence angle coefficient F is;

1 + cos d
F = ( ) (3-21)
2

More accurate representation of the thrust F is as follows at Pe = Pa

F = F m
uj
(3-22)
 Thrust Analysis
22 V. Calculation of real thrust
In real calculation, the calculation of exhaust gas velocity, uj, and mass flo
w rate, ,mat nozzle exit is very complex.
In chapter 2,

[m/s]

When the nozzle chocked, the mass flow rate (m ) is follows as.

[kg/sm2
]

Above two equations are assigned to Eq. (3-16) and arrange,

F = u jm
+ ( Pe - Pa ) Ae
(3-16)
 Thrust Analysis
23 V. Calculation of real thrust
Thrust coefficient(CF ) of the above equation is defined as,

Thrust is explained simply.

F = C F A* PT (3-23)

In the cylindrical-nozzle, the thrust (F) is

F = F C F A* PT (3-24)

Note : When nozzle throat area A* and total pressure PT is constant, optimization of
thrust is same as optimization of CF.
 3.3
The acceleration of flight vehicles

24
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
25 I. The acceleration of flight vehicles
F=ma
dv
Velocity of flight vehicles F - D - mg cos = m
dt
Thrust
Air resistance dm
F = m ueq = - u
Exhaust jet velocity
Substitute the equation dt eq

Mass of flight vehicles

into the above equation, vehicle movement
Gravitational acceleration
Propellant mass flow rate formula can be expressed Eq. 3-25.

dm D
dv = -ueq - dt - g cos dt (3-25)
m m

< Fig. 3-7 > The flight of space launch vehicles

 The acceleration of flight vehicles
26 I. The acceleration of flight vehicles
At space, propellants movement or orbit
Velocity of flight vehicles change are under vacuum state (D=0, g=
Thrust
0), so Eq.3-25 can be expressed;
Air resistance
Exhaust jet velocity dm
dv = -ueq (D=0, g=0)
Mass of flight vehicles m
Gravitational acceleration Integration
Propellant mass flow rate
m m
v -ueq ln ueq ln 0 (3-26)
m0 m
or,

v
-
< Fig. 3-7 > The flight of space launch vehicles m ueq
=e (3-27)
m0
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
27 I. The acceleration of flight vehicles
Introduce the concept of specific impuls
Velocity of flight vehicles
e, Is,
v
Thrust m -
(3-28)
= e gc I s
Air resistance m0
Exhaust jet velocity v : speed increase of vehicle generated
Mass of flight vehicles by decreasing total mass of vehicle due t
Gravitational acceleration o propellant burned. (from m0 to m)
Propellant mass flow rate
If the initial flight velocity is 0, burnout
velocity, vb, is
m0
v = v b = ueq ln = ueq lnR (3-29)
mf

< Fig. 3-7 > The flight of space launch vehicles

And also D=0, g=const.
v vb ueq ln R- g cos tb (3-30)
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
28 II. The maximum rise height of flight vehicle, hmax

If the initial velocity vo=0

(3-31)

If the burning rate of the propellant is constant

Substitute equation 3-31

(3-32)

Burnout velocity is
(3-33)
Burnout altitude is
(3-34)
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
29 II. The maximum rise height of flight vehicle, hmax

Please refer to the Eq.3-31~Eq.3-34 in page 108

at the altitude of burnout position, kinetic energy = potential energy chang
e v2 b
mf = m f g(hmax - hb )
2
v b2
hmax = hb +
2g

or,
v b2
hmax = hb + (3-35)
2g

-1) (3-36)

In a given mass ratio , when the burnout time(tb) is short, the maximum rising altitude
increases. But short burnout time(tb) means high acceleration, it will leads to some
troubles of structure.
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
30 III. Example

There isa sounding rocket at Is = 250s, tb= 30s. calculate the burnout veloci

ty (vb) ,burnout altitude(hb) and maximum rise altitudehmaxin case of = 0.2,

0.3, 0.4. (assumption Pe=Pa)

Solution)
ueq =u j =g c I s = 9 .81 250= 2 ,452.5 m/s
MR==0.2

v b = - 2 ,452.5 ln( 0.2) - 9.81 30 = 3,654.2m / s

2 ,452.5 30 0.2 1
hb = (ln 0.2) + 2,452.5 30 - 9.81 ( 30) 2 = 39,546.5m = 39.55km
1 - 0.2 2

( 3,654.2) 2
hmax = 39,546.5 + = 720,147m = 720.15km
2 9.81
 The acceleration of flight vehicles
31 III. Example

Samemethod,

MR= =0.3

v b = 2 ,658.5m / s
hb = 31.2km
hmax = 391.4km

MR= =0.4
v b = 1,913m / s
hb = 25km
hmax = 211.5km
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
3.4

32
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
33 Over view

vb2
hmax hb (3-35)
2g

From equation 3-35, We can see that, when the pay-load of the rocket is fixed,

if we want to increase the maximum climb altitude, the method is to increase t

he value of vb, burnout velocity.
vb increases, then mass ratio = need to increases.
mf = ms + mP/L which includes pay-load need to decrease, and this will decrease
the carrying capacity of the rocket.
And has the upper limit. If we dont want to use an unpractical value of and d
ont want to decrease the carrying capacity of the rocket too. Then, to keep the
carrying capacity of the rocket and increase the burnout velocity, the best met
hod is to adopt the multi-stage rocket.
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
34 Over view

In order to make it easier to understand,

air resistance D = 0,
acceleration of gravity g = 0,
effective jet velocity uj = const.
It is connected with equation 3-26

is the increment of velocity, if the initial velocity 00,

Then the burnout velocity
vb
If the rocket has n stages, then the burnout velocity v n
vn (3-37)
If the payload ratio , structural coefficient and mass ratio are the same in each stag
e, that means we assume that each stage is under similar condition.
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
35 Over view

Then

= (3-38)
The pay-load ratio for each stage
so,
then,

Multiply two sides respectively

(3-39)
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
36 Over view

Then

(3-40)

here =

Put 3-40 into 3-38,

If we set the single stage rocket (n = 1) as the baseline, (3-41)

(3-42)
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
37 Over view

The structural coefficient is about 0.2 in rocket Scout, and about 0.1 in Satui

n V and Ariane (high performance rocket).

For a rocket to send the satellite into orbit, the value of various from 50 to
150 ( mP/L/m01: 0.02~0.007).
Even the value of , and is not same for each stage, from the previous exam
ple we can see that there is no big difference between them.
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
38 Over view
With equation 3-42, and adopt = 0.1, = , 1000, 500, 100, 50, we can
get the Fig. 3-8.

< Fig. 3-8 > The relationship between the number of stages and burnout velocity
of multi-stage rocket.

As stage number increases, the efficiency improvement rate decreases.

Common stage number is 3. Scout(U.S.A.) and SLV-3(India) are 4 stages. No mo
re stages.
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
39 Over view

For single-stage rocket,

Payload ratio,

Structural coefficient

Mass ratio

or

< Fig. 3-9 > Comparison between single-stage

and two-stage rocket.
vb u j ln

=3,000*ln5
=4,828 m/s
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
40 Over view
For second-stage rocket,
We assume that

Payload ratio,

Structural coefficient

And we know that

< Fig. 3-9 > Comparison between single-stage

and two-stage rocket. Mass ratio
 Multi-stage effects of Rockets
41 Over view

Burnout velocity has

v2/v1 = increase.

< Fig. 3-9 > Comparison between single-stage

and two-stage rocket.
Two-stage
Single-stage
Stage 1 Stage 2

Pay-load ratio, 0.0714 0.348 0.348

Structural coefficient, 0.142 0.143 0.143
Mass ratio, 55 2.747
2.747 2.747
2.747
Burnout velocity, vb 4828 m/s 6063 m/s
Burnout velocity, v
 Stage Separation
3.5

42
 Stage Separation
43 Over view

In multi-stage rocket, sufficient separation must be achieved after complete c

ombustion of each stage. The following situations must be avoided.

Separated part not be dropped completely.

Separated part follows the next stage for a long time or hit the rocket durin
g
separation process.

A vibration with excessive level is generated to the spacecraft during
separation process.

Rocket flame has an effect on the elaborate equipment of the vehicle.

Fragments of the separator strike the vehicle when the separator is
explosive.
 Stage Separation
44 Stage separation load

Stage separation load is the transient load caused by the shake that generated
by the reactive force of the vehicle during the separation process.
--- stage body, shroud, fairing, insulating plate, equipment pod etc.
There were several stage separation accidents in early space development prog
rams. Most of them are because the separated part cause an fatal damage to th
e structure and mechanical part.
Separation procedure consists of :
1) the activation of separator
2) the thrust transient and aerodynamics effect on the next stage induced by
the cut off or ignition of the stage.
 Stage Separation
45 Loads caused during the separation process Thrust transient phenomenon

During the booster jettison process, because of the thrust decay of the removed stage an
d the ignition and thrust buildup of the next stage, thrust transient phenomenon will h
appens.
The influence come from the thrust transient load will last long time compared with the
mechanical and explosive impact come from the general stage separator.
Thrust transient combined with other separator load will produce a dangerous high lev
el vibration. The vibration direction is lengthways mainly and a torsion shape will be g
enerated crosswise.
 Stage Separation
46 Loads caused during the separation process Thrust transient phenomenon

Fig. 3-10 : Demonstrates the separation procedures to minimize the mutual interference
between thrust transient and other phenomenon generated by stage separation.

First stage thrust decay Jet

(4 engines)
Normalized thrust

Second stage thrust buildup

(2 engines)

Separation

Reversed boost
separation rocket

time
<Fig. 3-10> Main thrust transient and separation process
 Stage Separation
47 Loads caused during the separation process Aerodynamic effects

The first stage is decelerating, and before the separation starting, the ignition o
f second stage is started when the first stage is still connected. This state is call
fire-in-the-hole.
The procedure is demonstrated in the Figure 3-11.

<Fig. 3-11> A representative fire-in-the-hole separation

 Stage Separation
48 Loads caused during the separation process Aerodynamic effects

In this method, blast effect of exhaust jet in the second engine is generated by
pushing the first stage back. The exhaust from the engine of second stage impa
cts the first stage directly or flows into inter-stage compartment and increases t
he pressure of it.
In inter-stage compartment, there are ports to discharge exhaust gas so that the
overpressure in internal part is avoided. With this method, the dynamic respon
se of the craft results from thrust transient, rapid overpressure in inter-stage co
mpartment, thermal loading and acoustic loading.

<Fig. 3-11> A representative fire-in-the-hole separation

 Stage Separation
49 Loads caused during the separation process Effect of preserved elastic energy

The various steady and unsteady flight load of the structure of the flight vehicl
e can be seen during the separation process.
Stress due to internal and external aviation load is stored in craft structures as s
tatic and dynamic elastic energy.
In reality, the length of flight vehicle is to long and this will gives a preloading
to the tension bolt, coupling device and spring, etc. of the separator because of
the flying load.
When the separator is activated, the deform structure of the rocket will has a n
ew expansion or adaptive motion because of the shape of the rocket is changed
suddenly.
And the magnitude of the expansion and adaptive motion depend on the preser
ved elastic energy and the length and suppleness of the flight vehicle.
The effect will increases as the length and pliability increase.
 Stage Separation
50 Loads caused during the separation process Control and the aerodynamic force
Components of the rocket can receive loads come from the control and
aerodynamic force during the separation process.
A side load will generated when the next stage ignited during the separation
process or the next stage has a high degree deformation to the control surface
induced by the control device.
The new aerodynamic load distribute on the next stage when the separation occurs
under the atmosphere which has a relative high density. This load change will be
the reason of state change of the flight vehicle during separation and also has some
relationship with the distance change between separated stage and next stage.
Separation analysis :
Separation analysis : whether the stage separation will have effect on the

stability of the rocket or not.

Staging-loads analysis : whether the component of the rocket can bear the

load caused by the stage separation.

 Stage Separation
51 Flight separation device consideration in flight separation design

Flight separation purpose:

Drop the burnout rocket stage

Expose the equipment inside of the rocket to the outside

Deploy the payload in space

If the stage separator which cannot meet the requirements is used, the attitude
error will be induced or the tumble rate will increases excessively that cannot
be modified by the attitude control system. And this will damage some
important facilities and the mission will be failed.

Vanguard satellite fails to get into orbit because of the 2 nd stage is damaged
during separation.

Satellites launching failed several times in the initial stage because of the
failure of separation of 1st booster.
 Stage Separation
52 Flight separation device consideration in flight separation design

To achieve the purpose of separation successfully, when we design the separati

on device, we need to consider:

Sufficient distance between spacecraft and separated part

Whether the flight vehicle will impact the payload or not

Whether the rocket or the payload will be damaged or polluted by the debr
is from the separation device or not.
Whether the separation device can bear the various space environment and

condition during the process of flying or not.

 Stage Separation
53 Flight separation device consideration in flight separation design

Separation device include

Release mechanism : separated from main structure.

Separation-impulse mechanism : take part far away from the main body.

Accessory device : Guides and assists the movement of released part.
There are two methods to achieve the purpose that carry the payload or the nex
t stage to the destination and realize separation of used part cleanly.
Install a separation device on the preset location to separate cleanly from a

whole rocket by setting an instruction.

Build the rocket with two parts and make them separate to each other follo

w the instruction.
First method needs explosion separation device to cut rocket body along the
cut off line.
Second method needs clamp, diaphragm, and explosion bolt and nut to realiz
e the separation.
 Stage Separation
54 Flight separation device
Type of device Mechanism Shock loading Fragmentation Etc
and
contamination

Linear shaped Column of explosive encased in a continuous Extremely high Very significant Simple and reliable. Distance between LSC
metal sheath. Explosive energy focused along a and structure is critical
charge(LSC) line by shape of the sheath cuts structure

Mild detonating fuze Metal-clad detonating cord threaded into a slot High Very significant but can Spread explosive energy more than LSC
on structure: explosion ruptures notched be contained and reliable
(MDF) structure

V-clamp Clamp which fits over mated flanges on two Moderate: depends on None if bands are Very reliable
bodies: held in place by tension bands until band-release restrained by springs
released mechanism and on
amount of preload in
bands

Diaphragm Diaphragm coupler between stages is deflected Low Low Thread shapes and diaphragm slots must be
by engine exhaust of continuing stage or small designed to transmit loads but also to
auxiliary motor: this releases engaging threads deflect and disengage properly: diaphragm
on petals must deflect at pressure below

Fragmenting explosive Notched bolt or nut with internal explosive Moderate High Can also be used to release V-clamp band.
charge Reliability increased
bolts, nuts

Soft joint Stages free and held together by inertia forces Low None Design problems are alignment, friction,
until drag on expended stage or ignition of binding, and tip-off
continuing stage causes separation

<Table. 3-5> Example of Release devices.

 Stage Separation
55 Flight separation device
Type of device Operating features Complexity/ Separation speed Note
Weight range of typical

Stage rocket ignition Separated from the next stage at the same High/ Low 1.5~3 m/s Middle-stage space to prevent over-
time as cutting stage engine ignition, pressure exhaust required
(fire-in-the-hole) Exhaust gas pressure at the same time as a
separate stage, extrusion, and then
accelerated stage.

Rocket collateral SRM compressed gas to launch a rocket or Simple/ Normal 3~6 m/s The direction of thrust of the spindle,
the separation of the axial or lateral force and must match the vehicle. Necessary to
generates. In each stage you can then attach prevent vehicle exhaust pollution
a separate college

Reverse thrust SRM drilled earlier in the reverse thrust port High/ Normal 0.3~0.6 m/s Such as port cover objects like aircraft to
crash on the need to prevent. Reverse
driving gas vehicles can be contaminated

Spring injection Leaf spring force Helical or separation Simple/ Normal 0.06~1.8 m/s Force of the spring at the same moment
extrusion is not equal to each other tip-off occurs

Effective aerodynamic Lift or drag device as escape vehicles in the Simple/ Low 0.15~0.3 m/s The exact interpretation of the
extrusion stage experiment requires only Separation
resistance

<Table. 3-6> Separation-impulse devices.

 Stage Separation
56 Flight separation device
Type of device Function Structural feature

To lead the separation part fly away successfully Let the separation part moves along axial direction
Roller with rail, track and roller

Lead the separation part fly away from the flight vehicle Mechanical connectors beside the attachment
Sway braces, linkages

Deliver the electricity and water connection between Delivering equipment like a Guillotine and a
each stage pressure-water connectors
Electricity and water

separation devices

The system to tumble the separation part and make it Fixed by cable on the separated part and unsteady
Y- tumble system drop from the flight vehicle motion will be induced by the unbalance force

The system to tumble the separation part and make it Launch a small rocket to tumble the separation part
Tumble rocket drop from the flight vehicle

Stage separation activation switch Microswitch installed in the middle stage, activate
Disconnect switch after the separation finished

<Table. 3-6> Accessory devices.

 Stage Separation
57 Flight separation device consideration in flight separation design

The handing and stability of activation of devices must be considered when the
design of the system including explosive in some part of the separator. Ignition
failure is possible because of the Radio-Frequency or electrostatic discharge of
Electro-Explosive Device (EED), it will happen under which kinds of constant
electricity or voltage must be checked when design these kinds of device.
 Stage Separation
58 Flight separation device V-clamp separation system

Widely used on flight vehicle with a

<Fig. 3-12> V-clamp separation system
relative small diameter.
Simple structures
No debris
Small impact
After receiving the electric signal, ex
plosive bolt will work and two stage
s will depart from each other with th
e force of springs.
Weight is large than other methods
when the vehicle mass increases.
 Stage Separation
59 Flight separation device Diaphragm

Diaphragm : Relatively small-diameter solid-fuel rocket motors used for stage

separation.
Diaphragm is used in relatively small multistage rockets and diaphragm separa
te system is mainly used for separation within the atmosphere.

<Fig. 3-14> Diaphragm separation system (Example of the Scout: 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd )
 Stage Separation
60 Flight separation device Spring injection separation system

<Fig. 3-15> Spring popup system (Example of the Scout)

Used in high altitude or in a vacuum or a thin atmosphere
Merit : Good in terms of price and reliability
Demerit : The weight is heavy. Because several strong springs are need to generate powerful energ
y to separate stages. You must align the balance because the spring forces are different.
Sounding rocket
- Annular charge in the middle of the rocket
- In the front of the separated part, there are thrust termination ports. By opening the port,
reverse thrust (zero thrust) will generate to decrease the velocity sharply.
 Stage Separation
61 Flight separation device Ariane launch vehicle stage separation device

European Arianes stage

separation is composed by retro-
rocket stage separation which is
attached on the outside of the
rocket stage and accelerate it to
separate.

<Fig. 3-16> Ariane launch vehicle stage separation device

 Stage Separation
62 Flight separation device Example
Fairing
Max-diameter
Effective-D.

3rd stage
Propellant
(LH/LOX)
Diameter
Explosive bolt
2nd stage
Acceleration stage separation rocket
Reverse thrust separation rocket
Propellant

Diameter
Fire-in-the-hole
Explosive bolt
1st stage
Propellant

Diameter
V-frame
(exhaust
branch
exit)

<Fig. 3-17> Changzheng 3 rocket of China

 Stage Separation
63 Flight separation device Separation of Strap-on solid propellant rocket booster

<Fig. 3-18> Separation of Strap-on solid propellant rocket booster (Titan, Delta, Ariane)
 Stage Separation
64 Flight separation device Solid-fuel rocket booster separation

For reducing the colliding of the plume to the rocket, the staging rocket can ge
nerate an angle of 30 degrees in the yaw surface.

Thrust of each staging rocket is 21,360 N, and it will burnout in 2.8 s.

<Fig. 3-19> Typical staging rocket motor of SRB

 Thrust Vector Control
3.6

65
 Thrust Vector Control
66

In atmosphere, Aircraft are adjusted by the aerodynamic fin.

In high altitude or in a vacuum or a thin atmosphere, we only can apply the eq
uipment named TVC, Thrust Vector Control.

Thrust vector control methods : Mechanical methods of deflection, Secondary

fluid injection method.
(a)-(f) : Mechanical methods of deflection
(g),(h) : Secondary fluid injection method
 Thrust Vector Control
67

<Fig. 3-20> Examples of thrust vector control system

Jet vanes and Spoiler tabs, disrupting the flow of the spray jet through the nozzle , this r
esulting in loss of thrust.
Vernier rocket : by check the gimbal of the vernier to control the aircraft attitude.
 Thrust Vector Control
68
 Correlation of the main boundary variables
3.7

69
 Correlation of the main boundary variables
70

Nozzle throat area

Jet exhaust velocity

characteristic velocity

Thrust coefficient

Thrust

Specific thrust

Combustor pressure

Mass flow rate

<Table. 3-8> Rockets of the parameter correlation

Characteristics velocity means combustion efficiency

 Correlation of the main boundary variables
71

1. Thrust calculation

2. Specific impulse calculation

 Correlation of the main boundary variables
72

3. Mass flow rate calculation

4. Exhaust jet velocity