Propellant Expulsion Techniques

Abstract

A positive gas-free source of propellant must be supplied to the rocket engine of a space vehicle if successful operation is to be achieved during zero or adverse acceleration. Various techniques have been used to accomplish this, and a description of each is presented along with its advantages and limitations. Typical areas of application are also identified.

Items such as elastomeric and plastic bladders, metal bellows and diaphragms, ullage orientation rockets, surface tension devices, and electric fields are included in the discussion.

Tests conducted on some of these devices, including those accomplished on zero-gravity aircraft, are described and the results are presented.