L T P C

15AS307 ROCKET PROPULSION

3 0 0 3
Co-requisite: Nil
Prerequisite: 15AS301J, 15AS304
Data Book /
Gas Tables
Codes/Standards
Course Category P PROFESSIONAL CORE PROPULSION
Course designed by Department of Aerospace Engineering
Approval Academic Council Meeting 23rd July, 2016

PURPOSE To familiarize the students on the fundamental concepts of rocket propulsion and some
advanced rocket propulsion techniques.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES STUDENT
OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, student will be able to
1. Understand the basic principles of rocket propulsion. a e
2. Analyze the choice of propellants and basic performance parameters of
a e
chemical propellants.
3. Design and Analyze the various chemical propulsion systems. a e
4. Understand the working of advanced rocket propulsion techniques. a e

C-
Session Description of Topic Contact
D- IOs Reference
hours
I-O
UNIT I-FUNDAMENTALS OF ROCKET 9
PROPULSION
History and evolution of rockets - Rocket principle and
1. 3 C,D 1 1,2,3
Rocket equation - Classification of rockets - Mass ratio of
rocket
Rocket Nozzles - Classifications - Nozzle Performance -
2. Nozzle area ratio - Mass flow rate-Characteristic velocity - 3 C,D 1 1,2,3
Thrust coefficient
3. Performance parameters and Efficiencies of rocket - Staging
3 C,D 1 1,2,3
and Clustering - Numerical problems.
9
UNIT II-CHEMICAL PROPELLANTS

4. Molecular mass - Specific Heat-specific heat ratio -

3 2 1,2,4
Stoichiometric ratio and mixture ratio C

5. Energy release during combustion - Heat of formation - Heat

3 C,D 2 1,2,4
of combustion - Criterion for choice of propellant
Solid propellants - Composition and processing - Liquid
6. propellants – Classifications – Storability - Numerical 3 C,D 2 1,2,4
problems.
UNIT III-SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKET 9

7. Hardware components and its functions - Mechanism of

3 C 3 1,2
burning - Ignition system and igniter types
Propellant grain configuration and its applications - Burn rate
8. - Factors influencing burn rates 3 C,D 3 1,2
Burn rate index for stable operation - Action time and burn
9. time - Design of Solid Propellant rocket - Numerical 3 C,D 3 1,2
problems.
 UNIT IV-LIQUID PROPELLANT ROCKET 9

10. Classifications - Hardware components and its functions 2 C 3 1,2

11. Propellant feed systems and Turbo pump feed system -

4 C 3 1,2
Injectors and types - Thrust chamber and its cooling
12. Cryogenic propulsion system, Special features of cryogenic
3 C,D 3 1,2
systems - Numerical problems.
UNIT V-ADVANCE PROPULSION TECHNIQUES 9
Hybrid propellant rocket - Electrical rockets - Electro-
13. thermal, Electro-static and Electro-magnetic propulsion 4 C 4 1,2,3
system
14. Arc-jet thruster - Ion thruster - Hall Effect Thruster -
3 C 4 1,2,3
Magneto plasma dynamic thruster
15. Nuclear rockets - Solar Propulsion system - Numerical
2 C,D 4 1,2,3
problems.
Total contact hours* 45
*Excluding Assessment hours

LEARNING RESOURCES
Sl.
TEXT BOOKS
No.
1. Ramamurthi.K, “Rocket propulsion”, Laxmi Publications, India, Second edition 2016.
2. George P. Sutton, Oscar Biblarz, “Rocket propulsion elements”, Wiley India Pvt Ltd. eighth Edition
2010.
REFERENCE BOOKS/OTHER READING MATERIAL
3. Philip Hill and Carl Peterson, “Mechanics and thermodynamics of propulsion”, Pearson India,
second edition 2010.
4. Stephen R. Turns, “An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and Applications”, McGraw-Hill
Education, third Edition , 2011.

Course nature Theory

Assessment Method (Weightage 100%)
Assessment Cycle test Surprise
In- Cycle test I Cycle Test III Quiz Total
tool II Test
semester
Weightage 10% 15% 15% 5% 5% 50%
End semester examination Weightage : 50%