Propulsion Techniques

Drawn from early volumes of Aerospace America and its antecedents, this book rescues the insights, concerns, and dreams of dozens of space propulsion experts for the next generation of aerospace scientists and engineers. Written by well-known figures in space propulsion, this book provides readily accessible source material for design courses in astronautical engineering. Propulsion Techniques surveys the technologies of rocketry in the traditional categories of liquid, solid, hybrid, nuclear, and electric propulsion. Historical trends and cycles are displayed in each category as articles describe concepts and progress from the early visions of Goddard, Oberth, and Tsiolkovsky to proposed (and re-proposed) ideas for advanced space thrusters. In addition to descriptions of rocket engines of various types, associated technologies for propellants and space-electrical power systems are discussed.

Space propulsion systems have a great influence on our ability to travel to other planets or how cheap a satellite can provide TV programs. This book provides an up-to-date overview of all kinds of propulsion systems ranging from classical rocket technology, nuclear propulsion to electric propulsion systems, and further to micro-, propellantless and even breakthrough propulsion, which is a new program under development at NASA. The author shows the limitations of the present concepts and how they could look like in the future. Starting from historical developments, the reader is taken on a journey showing the amazing technology that has been put on hold for decades to be rediscovered in the near future for questions like how we can even reach other stars within a human lifetime. The author is actively involved in advanced propulsion research and contributes with his own experience to many of the presented topics. The book is written for anyone who is interested in how space travel can be revolutionized.

Annotation Leading researchers provide a cohesive treatment of the complex issues in high-speed propulsion, as well as introductions to the current capabilities for addressing several fundamental aspects of high-speed vehicle propulsion development. Includes more than 380 references, 290 figures and tables, and 185 equations.

The authors of this text have written a comprehensive introduction to the modeling and optimization problems encountered when designing new propulsion systems for passenger cars. It is intended for persons interested in the analysis and optimization of vehicle propulsion systems. Its focus is on the control-oriented mathematical description of the physical processes and on the model-based optimization of the system structure and of the supervisory control algorithms.

Distributed propulsion technology is one of the revolutionary candidates for future aircraft propulsion. In this book, which serves as the very first reference book on distributed propulsion technology, the potential role of distributed propulsion technology in future aviation is investigated. Following a historical journey that revisits distributed propulsion technology in unmanned air vehicles, commercial aircrafts, and military aircrafts, features of this specific technology are highlighted in synergy with an electric aircraft concept and a first-of-its-kind comparison between commercial and military aircrafts employing distributed propulsion arrangements. In light of propulsionairframe integration and complementary technologies, such as boundary layer ingestion, thrust vectoring and circulation control, transpired opportunities and challenges are addressed in addition to a number of identified research directions proposed for future aircrafts. Moreover, a diverse set of distributed propulsion arrangements are considered. These include: small engines, gas-driven multi-fan architectures, turboelectric systems featuring superconductive and non-superconducting electrical machine technology, and electromagnetic fans. This book features contributions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Air Force (USAF), and includes the first proposed official definition for distributed propulsion technology in subsonic fixed wing aircrafts.

The automotive industry is waking up to the fact that hybrid electric vehicles could provide an answer to the ever-increasing need for lower-polluting and more fuelefficient forms of personal transport. This is the first book to give comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the hybrid vehicle design, from its power plant and energy storage systems, to the supporting chassis subsystems necessary for realising hybrid modes of operation. Key topics covered include hybrid propulsion system architectures, propulsion system sizing, electric traction system sizing and design, loss mechanisms, system simulation and vehicle certification. The book is suitable for practising engineers and managers involved in all aspects of hybrid vehicle development, modelling and simulation and testing. It will also be of interest to postgraduate students in the field.