Past studies have shown that the dry weight of future earth-to-orbit vehicles can be reduced by the combined use of hydrogen and hydrocarbon propulsion compared to all-hydrogen propulsion. This paper shows that the use of certain hydrocarbon engines with hydrogen engines produces the lowest vehicle dry mass. These hydrocarbon engines use propane or RP-1 fuel, hydrogen cooling, and hydrogen-rich gas generators. Integration of the hydrogen and hydrocarbon nozzles is also beneficial.
Selecting hydrocarbon rocket propulsion technology
1986-10-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
Solid rocket propulsion technology
TIBKAT | 1993
|Rocket Propulsion Technology-Security Classification
NTIS | 1984
|Hydrocarbon Rocket Technology Impact Forecasting
NTRS | 2012
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