The Rocket Propulsion course provides the basic theory and the physical-mathematical tools necessary for the analysis and design of rocket propulsion systems, presents and discusses the main performance parameters of rockets and introduces the main families of chemical rockets by analyzing their characteristic components and their influence on design, performance, cost and environmental impact. The course also provides the student with a series of calculation examples aimed at fixing the theory and comparing it with typical examples of rocket motors used in launchers and in space propulsion.
At the end of the course students must have acquired:
- Knowledge and ability to apply the ideal rocket theory with particular reference to tandem and parallel staging and to the environmental impact generated by propulsive and structural inefficiencies
- Knowledge and ability to apply the theory of steady one-dimensional flows with reference to the typical applications of rocket propelled vehicles
- Knowledge and ability to apply the ideal nozzle theory with particular reference to the main performance parameters and operation in unsuitable conditions
- Knowledge and ability to apply the thermochemistry applied to chemical propulsion with particular reference to relationships with performance parameters and the limits and possibilities of chemical propulsion
- Knowledge of the main combinations of propellants available for chemical propulsion and critical view of the pros and cons of each of them included the toxicity of several combinations and its consequence in terms of production, tests, and costs
- Knowledge of the main components that make up a solid propellant rocket motor and ability to apply the theory of internal zero-dimensional ballistics.
- Knowledge of the main components that make up a liquid propellant rocket engine and ability to estimate its performance according to the propellant properties
- Knowledge of the main development directions of rocket propulsion for applications in the field of launchers and space propulsion with hints to the control of the generation of space debris from launcher upper stages.
