Operational Aspects of the Rocket Engine and the Test Facility

Abstract

Design, construction and production are essential phases in the development of a rocket engine. As soon as the engine subcomponents are at a satisfactory development status, a complete engine, ready for operation, is examined on a test facility which is specially designed for this very engine. The aim of an engine test is to check and optimize the operational cycle of the engine and finally to confirm the readiness of the rocket engine for use on the launcher. When the rocket engine is used during flight, or when it is tested on the ground facility, the operational aspects of the rocket engine have to be considered. This means the engine dynamic behaviour during start up, during transit from one to another operational point, the characteristics at extreme operational points and during shut down of the engine.