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Flow separation in rocket nozzles under high altitude condition

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Abstract

The knowledge of flow separation in rocket nozzles is crucial for rocket engine design and optimum performance. Typically, flow separation is studied under sea-level conditions. However, this disregards the change of the ambient density during ascent of a launcher. The ambient flow properties are an important factor concerning the design of altitude-adaptive rocket nozzles like the dual bell nozzle. For this reason an experimental study was carried out to study the influence of the ambient density on flow separation within conventional nozzles.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Oskar Haidn and Shashi Verma for the discussion leading to the presented experimental study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Aerospace Center, DLR, Institute of Space Propulsion, 74239, Lampoldshausen, Germany

    R. Stark & C. Génin

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  1. R. Stark
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  2. C. Génin
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Correspondence to R. Stark.

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Communicated by F. Lu.

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Stark, R., Génin, C. Flow separation in rocket nozzles under high altitude condition. Shock Waves 27, 63–68 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-016-0631-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00193-016-0631-6

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