A Seminar on

OPTIMIZATION OF THE PERFORMANCE

OF THE PROPULSION SYSTEMS USED
IN ROCKETS BY THE NEW AERO SPIKE
ENGINE
Under the guidance of
Balakumar.G
Presented by
Madhu.P

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Existing propulsion system

The Expansion system: Bell shaped nozzle and its problem

The Aero spike engine

Aerodynamics of the Aero spike engine

Altitude compensation in an Aero spike engine

Advantages and Disadvantages of Aero spike nozzle

Developments, Summary & References

INTRODUCTION
Space travel is one of the most costly endeavors ever by
mankind.
It is made possible by the heavy rockets that power the
space shuttle and the pay load into space.
Since it is a costly process the efficiency of the propulsion
system must be optimized.
The present propulsion system uses bell shaped nozzles..
Their efficiency is limited at low and high altitudes because
of the changing atmospheric pressure.
A possible solution to this problem is the new Aero spike
engine.

THE EXISTING PROPULSIN

SYSTEM

THE BELLSHAPED NOZLE EXPANSION

SYSTEM

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE

OF NOZZLE

THE AERO SPIKE ENGINE

AERODYNAMICS OF THE AERO

SPIKE ENGINE

ALTITUDE COMPENSATION IN
AN AERO SPIKE ENGINE

ADVANTAGES OF AERO SPIKE

NOZZLE

Smaller nozzle
Superior performance
Less risk of failure
Lower vehicle drag
Modular combustion chambers
Thrust vectoring
Lower vehicle weight

DISADVANTAGES
Cooling
Manufacturing
Flight experience

CONCLUSION