Executive Summary This report summarizes the final project results for the period of May 1, 2002 through November 30, 2002 for the NIAC CP 01-02 Phase I study, "The BlackLight Rocket Engine". The objective of the Phase I study was to assess the potential of low pressure, mixed gas hydrogen plasmas (i.e. the BlackLight Process) toward the development of high performance space propulsion systems.

While NASA’s current next-generation launch vehicle research has largely focused on advanced allrocket single-stage-to-orbit vehicles (i.e. the X-33 and it’s RLV operational follow-on), some attention is being given to advanced propulsion concepts suitable for “next-generation-and-a-half” vehicles. Rocketbased combined-cycle (RBCC) engines combining rocket and airbreathing elements are one cand...

This paper describes the initial results of applying two machine-learning-based unsupervised anomaly detection algorithms, Orca and GritBot, to data from two rocket propulsion testbeds. The first testbed uses historical data from the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The second testbed uses data from an experimental rocket engine test stand located at NASA Stennis Space Center. The paper describes fou...

The results from experimental research of deformation by upsetting and die forging of lead specimens wit controlled impact are presented. Laboratory setup for conducting the investigations, which uses cold rocket engine operated with compressed air, is described. The results show that when using controlled impact is achieving greater plastic deformation and consumes less impact energy than at o...

This paper presents the results of an effort to optimize a conceptual design of a conical (wingedcone) single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle. The vehicle employs a rocket-based combined-cycle (RBCC) engine capable of four different operating modes ejector, ramjet, scramjet, and rocket. The RBCC engine offers higher engine thrust-to-weight ratios than competing airbreathing engine cycles while ma...

The Rocket Engine Design Tool for Optimal Performance-2 (REDTOP-2) is a newly created engineering design tool for use in the conceptual and preliminary design of space transportation systems utilizing liquid propulsion rocket engines. REDTOP-2, one of many unique engineering tools commercially available from SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI), represents a novel entry into the current suite of ...

This article is devoted to an important problem of calculation of deflected mode of the combustion chamber and the nozzle end of a new liquid-propellant rocket cruise engine. A special attention is given to the methodology of calculation. Three operating modes are considered. The analysis has been conducted in ANSYS software. The methods of conducted research are mathematical modeling, substruc...

Control over drop size distributions, injection rates, and geometrical distribution of fuel and oxidizer sprays in bi-propellant rocket engines has the potential to produce more efficient, more stable, less polluting rocket engines. This control also offers the potential of an engine that can be throttled, working efficiently over a wide range of output thrusts. Inkjet printing technologies, ME...

A theoretical study analyzing three-dimensional combustion acoustic instabilities in a liquid propellant rocket engine combustor has been conducted. A linear theory based on Crocco’s pressure sensitive time lag model is used. To apply this theory the combustor is divided into two main components, including the combustion chamber and the converging part of the nozzle. The assumption of concentra...