Chemlcal and lasma 8ockeL

ropulslon
1
!"#$%&'()"# "+ ,"-%#./-
lnlual momenLum = nal momenLum
( )
fuel fuel craft craft
v m v m ! + = 0
(rockeL ls aL resL)
fuel fuel craft craft
v m v m =
craft
fuel fuel
craft
m
v m
v =
So this shows the basic tradeoff
for rockets.

To go faster you must:
1. Maximize fuel speed
2. Maximize fuel mass
3. Minimize craft mass
2
Conservation of Momentum
(Rocket Style):
Actually its worse than it appears.
Rockets dont work by throwing all of their fuel off at once. To get into
orbit would kill an astronaut!
So, each part of the fuel ejected is pushing against the payload and
the remaining fuel!!!!
craft
fuel fuel
craft
m
v m
v =
3
4
An Lxample of a Plgh C launcher
ls a 8allgun
A rallgun uses elecLromagneuc forces Lo acceleraLe a
payload
?ou have already seen an example of one - rlng launcher
Cne example: 1.6 km barrel launches pro[ecules aL 7.3 km/s
(LhaL's almosL 2000 g's).
8ockeL Lquauon
1o correcLly compuLe Lhe change ln speed, we need Lo use calculus.
Pere's Lhe answer wrluen ln Lwo ways:
!v = c
e
ln 1+
m
fuel
m
rocket
"
#
$
%
&
'
!
fuel
= fuel mass
!
"#$%&'
= payload + sLrucLure mass
$
&
= exhausL speed
!( = change ln spacecra's speed
m
fuel
m
rocket
= e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
3
8ockeL Lquauon
!
fuel
= fuel mass
!
"#$%&'
= payload + sLrucLure mass
$
&
= exhausL speed
!( = change ln spacecra's speed
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 1 2 3 4 3 6
m
fuel
m
rocket
e
c
v !
m
fuel
m
rocket
= e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
6
8ockeL Lquauon
!
fuel
= fuel mass
!
"#$%&'
= payload + sLrucLure mass
$
&
= exhausL speed
!( = change ln spacecra's speed
0.1
1
10
100
1000
0 1 2 3 4 3 6
m
fuel
m
rocket
e
c
v !
m
fuel
m
rocket
= e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
7
8ockeL Lquauon: Lxample
Pow much fuel do we requlre Lo send a 1000 kg
rockeL Lo Lhe Moon (!( = 16 km/s) uslng a
chemlcal rockeL ($
&
= 4 km/s)?
8
m
fuel
m
rocket
= e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
m
fuel
= m
rocket
e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
8ockeL Lquauon: Lxample
Pow much fuel do we requlre Lo send a 1000 kg
rockeL Lo Lhe Moon (!( = 16 km/s) uslng a
chemlcal rockeL ($
&
= 4 km/s)?
9
m
fuel
= m
rocket
e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
8ockeL Lquauon: Lxample
Pow much fuel do we requlre Lo send a 1000 kg
rockeL Lo Lhe Moon (!( = 16 km/s) uslng a
chemlcal rockeL ($
&
= 4 km/s)?
10
m
fuel
= m
rocket
e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
)
*
+
+
,
-
.
.
SLaglng
We can use *'+,-., as a Lrlck Lo help lmprove Lhe slLuauon.
Cnce Lhe fuel ln Lhe rsL sLage ls used, we can drop LhaL sLage. now we
no longer need Lo carry LhaL sLrucLure lnLo space.
Lx: lf 10 of your lnlual mass ls sLrucLures and !(/$
&
= 2:
1 sLage: payload fracuon = 3.8
2 sLages: payload fracuon = 7.3
11
Types of Fuel:
There are three types of physical process that we
use for fuel in space propulsion.
1. Chemical Reactions: This amounts to triggering an energy
releasing chemical reaction in a controlled (or uncontrolled) way.
(By far the most common method).
2. Plasma Reactions: These thrusters use electric fields to
accelerate ions. (Not used for launches, but more common now
in trajectory corrections).
3. Nuclear Reactions: Nuclear propulsion relies on fission power to
generate massive amounts of energy that propel exhaust at
huge speeds. (Hard to control, but can also be an impulse
drive).
12
8ockeL Lquauon
1o correcLly compuLe Lhe change ln speed, we need Lo use calculus.
Pere's Lhe answer wrluen ln Lwo ways:
!v = c
e
ln 1+
m
fuel
m
rocket
"
#
$
%
&
'
!
fuel
= fuel mass
!
"#$%&'
= payload + sLrucLure mass
$
&
= exhausL speed
!( = change ln spacecra's speed
m
fuel
m
rocket
= e
!v
c
e
"
#
$
%
&
'
(1
13
We need More 1hrusL!
1hrusL ls anoLher characLerlsuc of propulslon
LhaL we Lyplcally wlll wanL Lo maxlmlze
1hrusL ls dened as Lhe force generaLed by an
englne or rockeL and Lhus has unlLs of
newLons (n)
l = ma
[n] = kg*m/s
2
lor rockeLs
l
LhrusL
= c
e
*dm
dm = fuel mass ow raLe
14
Speclc lmpulse
Speclc lmpulse measures Lhe emclency of a
rockeL englne.
lL ls eecuvely equal Lo Lhe LhrusL dlvlded by
Lhe amounL of fuel used per unlL ume.
lL ls measured by a quanuLy called l
sp

lor rockeLs l
sp
= c
e
/g and has unlLs of seconds.
13
Types of Fuel:
There are three types of physical process that we
use for fuel in space propulsion.
1. Chemical Reactions: This amounts to triggering an energy
releasing chemical reaction in a controlled (or uncontrolled) way.
(By far the most common method).
2. Plasma Reactions: These thrusters use electric fields to
accelerate ions. (Not used for launches, but more common now
in trajectory corrections).
3. Nuclear Reactions: Nuclear propulsion relies on fission power to
generate massive amounts of energy that propel exhaust at
huge speeds. (Hard to control, but can also be an impulse
drive).
16
Chemlcal 8ockeLs
1hree Lypes of chemlcal rockeLs:
1. Solld propellanL
2. Llquld propellanL
a. MonopropellanL
b. 8lpropellanL
3. Pybrld rockeLs
Chemlcal rockeLs work by heaung a gas Lhrough a chemlcal
reacuon. 1hls gas ls Lhen expanded Lhrough a nozzle.
Chemlcal rockeLs can be classled based on Lhe form of Lhe
fuel Lhey use.
17
Solld ropellanL MoLors
uses:
8oosLer 8ockeLs
! Space Shuule
! uelLa lv
! ALlas v
! Arlane 4 & 3
! Soyuz
Model 8ockeLs

luel and oxldlzer are mlxed LogeLher Lo
form a graln
lgnlLed used Lo sLarL mlxLure burnlng
LxhausL speed = 2.8 km/s
ropellanL example:
Ammonlum erchloraLe (oxldlzer)
P18 or 8An (fuels)
LxhausL:
Pydrochlorlc acld
Alumlnum oxlde
18
Solld ropellanL MoLors
AdvanLages:
very slmple deslgn
LoLs of lghL herlLage
8ellable
CompacL
Long sLorage umes
Plgh payload mass fracuon
Low cosLs
ulsadvanLages:
lmposslble Lo Lurn o
Low exhausL speed
compared Lo llquld fuels
Alr pockeLs can explode,
whlch rupLures Lhe caslng
Seals can rupLure causlng
fallure
8oelng uelLa lv
19
Llquld ropellanL:
MonopropellanL Lnglnes
Pow lL works:
1. MonopropellanL ls passed Lhrough a caLalysL.
2. CaLalysL causes a reacuon, whlch generaLes
heaL.
3. 1he heaLed producLs of Lhls reacuon are
expelled Lhrough a nozzle.
1yplcal fuel ls hydrazlne (n
2
P
4
)
LxhausL speed = 2.3 km/s
usually used for amLude conLrol.
20
Llquld ropellanL:
MonopropellanL Lnglnes
AdvanLages:
1. Slmple deslgn
2. 8obusL deslgn
3. 8ellable
4. noL a loL of plumblng
3. lllghL herlLage
6. Can Lurn Lhem o
ulsadvanLages:
1. MosL fuels are Loxlc
2. CaLalysL llfeume lssues
3. Low LhrusL
4. Low exhausL speeds
21
Llquld ropellanL:
8l-propellanL Lnglnes
Pow Lhey work:
1. luel and oxldlzer are pumped lnLo
Lhe combusuon chamber
1. Cen use Lurbopumps
2. ower Lapped o of maln
combusuon
2. ln[ecLors mlx propellanL Lo provlde
sLable and Lhorough combusuon
3. PeaL ls generaLed from combusuon.
4. PeaLed producLs are expelled ouL Lhe
nozzle
22
Llquld ropellanL:
8l-propellanL Lnglnes
0/%1 234546%& 73(-81%
Llquld P
2
(LP2) Llquld C
2
(LCx) Space Shuule Maln Lnglne
SaLurn v upper sLage
uelLa lv 1
sL
sLage
CenLaur
Arlane 2
nd
sLage
kerosene LCx ALlas rockeLs
uelLa
1lLan 1
sL
sLage
Soyuz rockeL
Aerozlne 30 ulnlLrogen LeLroxlde Apollo Servlce Module
Lunar Module
1lLan rockeLs
voyager 1 & 2
monomeLhylhydrazlne dlnlLrogen LeLroxlde Space Shuule CrblLal
Maneuverlng SysLem (CMS)
23
Llquld ropellanL:
8l-propellanL Lnglnes
AdvanLages:
1. 1yplcally more emclenL Lhan solld
or hybrld rockeLs
2. Plgh exhausL veloclLy
(3.6-4.4 km/s)
3. 1hrouled
4. Can Lurn Lhem o
3. LoLs of lghL herlLage
ulsadvanLages:
1. More complex Lhan hybrlds or solld
rockeLs
2. Cryogenlc sysLems oen needed
(lclng lssues)
3. ulmculLy sLorlng
4. SysLem complexlLy
24
Space Shuule Maln Lnglne
23
Pybrld 8ockeL MoLors
A solld fuel ls used, buL a llquld oxldlzer ls pumped
lnLo Lhe LhrusL chamber where Lhe solld fuel graln
resldes.
A combusuon reacuon occurs heaung Lhe reacLanLs,
whlch are expelled Lhrough a nozzle
ropellanL:
LCx or nlLrous Cxlde (oxldlzer)
A8S plasuc or synLheuc rubber (fuel)
AdvanLages:
1. Can shuL down
2. Slmple Lo use
3. Safe propellanLs
A hybrld rockeL was
used on Space Shlp
Cne, whlch won Lhe
x-prlze.
ulsadvanLages:
1. Complex fuel ow/
combusuon.
2. Lower performance
Lhan bl-propellanL
3. Llule/no lghL herlLage
26
Chemlcal ropulslon
1hree Lypes:
Solld propellanL
Llquld propellanL
Pybrld propellanL
LoLs of lghL herlLage
Launch vehlcles
CrblL 1ransfer LhrusLers
SLauon-keeplng
erformance:
Plgh or low LhrusL
LxhausL speeds =
2-3 km/s
27
Launch CosLs
9(/#:; <%;4:1% =(>1"(5 ." 972 ?".(1 !"$.
@-4114"#A
!"$.B1C
uelLa lv 36,800 lb $294 (2008) $3200
1lLan lv 47,790 lb $323(2008) $11,000
ALlas v 27,000 lb $294(2008) $10,900
Arlane 3 33,273 lb $120 (2008) $3400
Space Shuule 33,600 lb $430 (2008?) $8400
0(1:"# D EFGHIH 1C JIK @EHLLA JEMHH
28
Launch CosLs
LeL's lmaglne LhaL you're on Lhe space sLauon
and you wanL Lo buy a llLer of waLer. Pow much
would lL cosL Lo brlng lL Lo you?
Cne llLer of waLer = 2.2 lbs.
2.2 lbs. x $3400/lbs. = $7480
1haL's preuy prlcy.
We need Lo nd a way Lo make space
Lravel more aordable.
29
Chemlcal ropulslon
,4$$4"# N%O/4&%5 !'P

-
4#4)(1
B-
8(>1"(5

@:
%
Q I R-B$A
-
4#4)(1
B-
8(>1"(5

@:
%
Q EI R-B$A
LarLh orblL Lo Mars
and reLurn
14 km/s 16 1.8
LarLh orblL Lo
Mercury and reLurn
31 km/s 148 3.3
LarLh orblL Lo !uplLer
and reLurn
64 km/s 3.6x10
3
12.9
LarLh orblL Lo SaLurn
and reLurn
110 km/s 3.6x10
9
81.3
*Assumes Pohmann Lransfer wlLh no sLaglng or gravlLy asslsLs.
Chemlcal rockeLs are llmlLed Lo exhausL speeds of 2-3 km/s.

"#$ %& '( )&*&+ ,-#$ ,-#,S
30
Chemlcal ropulslon
,4$$4"# N%O/4&%5 !'P

-
4#4)(1
B-
8(>1"(5

@:
%
Q I R-B$A
-
4#4)(1
B-
8(>1"(5

@:
%
Q EI R-B$A
LarLh orblL Lo Mars
and reLurn
14 km/s 16 1.8
LarLh orblL Lo
Mercury and reLurn
31 km/s 148 3.3
LarLh orblL Lo !uplLer
and reLurn
64 km/s 3.6x10
3
12.9
LarLh orblL Lo SaLurn
and reLurn
110 km/s 3.6x10
9
81.3
*Assumes Pohmann Lransfer wlLh no sLaglng or gravlLy asslsLs.
Chemlcal rockeLs are llmlLed Lo exhausL speeds of 2-3 km/s.

31
LlecLrlc ropulslon (L)
32
8eyond Chemlcal ropulslon
/0&$'"-$ 1"#120*-#. 2*&* onboard elecLrlcal power Lo
generaLe an acceleraLe a plasma Lo generaLe LhrusL.
AdvanLages:
Plgh exhausL veloclLy
Plgh propellanL emclency
Plgh spacecra speeds

ulsadvanLages:
ower lnLenslve
very low LhrusL (-. *1+$& #.03)
Accelerauon Lakes ume
oLenual llfeume lssues
PlsLorlcal noLe: llrsL concelved by Coddard ln 1906!
33
1ypes of LlecLrlc ropulslon
1. /0&$'"#'4&"!+0 - uses elecLrlclLy Lo heaL a neuLral gas
&5+!10&*: arc[eL

2. /0&$'"#*'+6$ - uses a sLauc elecLrlc eld Lo acceleraLe
a plasma. SLauc magneuc eld are someumes used
Lo help conne Lhe plasma, buL Lhey are noL used for
accelerauon. &5+!10&*: grldded lon LhrusLer
3. /0&$'"#!+,.&6$ - uses elecLrlc and magneuc elds Lo
acceleraLe a plasma. &5+!10&*: hall LhrusLer, pulsed
plasma LhrusLer
34
1ypes of LlecLrlc ropulslon
Speclc lmpulse (l
sp
) = $
&
/g
33
LlecLroLhermal: Arc[eL
Pow Lhey work:
1. neuLral gas ows Lhrough Lhe
propellanL ow.
2. An elecLrlcal arc forms beLween Lhe
anode and caLhode.
3. A small amounL of Lhe neuLral gas ls
lonlzed Lo form Lhe arc.
4. 1he remalnlng gas ls heaLed as lL passes
Lhrough Lhe arc.
ropellanL: Pydrazlne
Ammonla
LxhausL speed: 4-10 km/s
1hrusL range: 200-1000 mn*
ower requlred: 400 W - 3 kW
Lmclency: 30-30
* 1 mn ls abouL Lhe welghL of a sheeL of paper. 36
LlecLroLhermal: Arc[eL
AdvanLages:
1. Plgher exhausL speeds Lhan chemlcal
2. Scalable Lo hlgher power levels
3. Slmple deslgn
4. Low volLages
3. Can use hydrazlne
ulsadvanLages:
1. More complex power processlng
2. LlecLrode eroslon
3. Plgh currenL (heaL, wlrlng.)
4. Can use hydrazlne
uses (own ln space):
SLauon keeplng
37
LlecLrosLauc: Crldded lon 1hrusLer
vlLal SLaLs:
ropellanL: Argon, krypLon,
xenon
LxhausL speed: 13-30 km/s
1hrusL range: 0.01-200 mn*
ower
requlred:
1-10 kW
Lmclency: 60-80
AdvanLages:
1. Plgh exhausL speed
2. Plgh emclency
3. lnerL propellanL
ulsadvanLages:
1. Complex power processlng
2. Low LhrusL
3. Crld and caLhode llfeume
lssues
4. Plgh volLages
3. 1hrusL denslLy ls llmlLed
uses:
1. SLauon keeplng
2. CrblLal change
LLC Lo CLC
3. rlmary propulslon
38
* 1 mn ls abouL Lhe welghL of a sheeL of paper.
LlecLrosLauc: Crldded lon 1hrusLer
Crldded lon 1hrusLers have been own as Lhe
prlmary propulslon of several saLelllLes:
ueep Space 1 (nASA)
uawn (nASA)
Payabusa (!AxA)
ueep Space 1's nS1A8 1hrusLer:
1. LxhausL speed 33 km/s
2. used 74 kg of xenon fuel
3. Low LhrusL (92 mn) over a long ume (678 days)
4. LargesL !v due Lo LhrusLer (4.3 km/s)
uAWn's lon Lnglne:
1. LxhausL speed 31 km/s
2. Low LhrusL (90 mn) over a long ume (longer
Lhan uS1)
3. Larger !v Lhan uS1
39
LlecLromagneuc: ulsed lasma
1hrusLer (1)
Pow Lhey work:
1. Arc ablaLes maLerlal o Lhe 1eon
surface.
a. MaLerlal ls lonzled
b. CurrenL ows Lhrough Lhe arc.
2. CurrenL generaLes a magneuc eld.
3. Magneuc eld and currenL lnLeracL Lo
acceleraLe Lhe plasma.
ropellanL: Solld 1eon
LxhausL speed: 6 - 20 km/s
1hrusL range: 0.03 - 10 mn*
ower requlred: 3 -300 W
Lmclency: 10
* 1 mn ls abouL Lhe welghL of a sheeL of paper. 40
LlecLromagneuc: ulsed lasma
1hrusLer (1)
AdvanLages:
1. Slmple deslgn
2. Low power
3. Solld fuel
a. no propellanL Lanks/plumblng
b. no zero-g eecLs on propellanL
ulsadvanLages:
1. Low LhrusL
2. Low emclency
3. 1oxlc producLs
uses (own ln space):
SLauon keeplng
reclslon polnung
41
LlecLromagneuc: Pall 1hrusLer
Pow Lhey work:
1. CaLhode releases elecLrons whlch
lonlze propellanL.
2. LlecLrons from lonlzauon move ln a
clrcular pauern (creaLe currenL).
3. CurrenL lnLeracLs wlLh radlal magneuc
eld Lo produce lon accelerauon.
4. CaLhode elecLrons neuLrallze Lhe
beam.
ropellanL: xenon or Argon
LxhausL speed: 13 - 20 km/s
1hrusL range: 0.01 - 2000 mn*
ower requlred: 1 W - 200 kW
Lmclency: 30-30
* 1 mn ls abouL Lhe welghL of a sheeL of paper. 42
LlecLromagneuc: Pall 1hrusLer
AdvanLages:
1. Plgh exhausL veloclLy
2. Slmple power supply
3. lnerL propellanL
4. Plgh emclency
3. ueslrable exhausL veloclLy
ulsadvanLages:
1. Plgh beam dlvergence
2. Llfeume lssues (eroslon)
uses (own ln space):
SLauon keeplng
CrblLal Lransfer (LLC Lo CLC)
rlmary ropulslon (SMA81-1)
43
L Summary
1ypes of L:
/0&$'"#'4&"!+07 reslsLo[eL, (&:T%.
/0&$'"#*'+6$7 U&455%5 4"# .;&/$.%&
/0&$'"#!+,.&6$: V(11 .;&/$.%&, ==?,
Mu LhrusLer, <WXY,N
AdvanLages:
Plgh exhausL veloclLy
Plgh propellanL emclency
Plgh spacecra speeds

ulsadvanLages:
ower lnLenslve
very low LhrusL (-. *1+$& #.03)
Accelerauon Lakes ume
oLenual llfeume lssues

44