Detonation propulsion experiments and theoryTest data are presented for the use of a single detonation of explosives in long-cone, short-cone, straight, and firing-plug nozzles to provide propulsion in a simulated Jupiter atmosphere, as well as the ambient gases N, CO2 and He. The long-cone nozzle yielded a progressive increase with ambient pressure for the higher molecular weight gases CO2 and N, while the lower molecular weight He and simulated Jupiter atmosphere showed a specific pulse decrease with increasing ambient pressure. The short-plug nozzle yielded a small specific impulse reduction with increasing ambient pressure, and its results were found to be nearly independent of ambient gas molecular weight. All data gathered are analyzed by using first principles, approximate blast wave theory predictions, and two-dimensional numerical calculations. Rarefaction and oscillatory wave phenomena are found to significantly influence specific impulse.
Document ID
19820051480
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Back, L. H. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Dowler, W. L. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Varsi, G. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)