• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2024

Adopting an engine igniter with high efficiency and ignition performance is essential for reliable operation of liquid rocket engines. In this study, we developed a spark torch igniter for a 450 N-scale methane-oxygen liquid rocket engine by conducting numerical analyses, igniter manufacturing and validation. Specifically, we conducted a parametric study for maximizing the enthalpy at the igniter exit, specifically by adjusting the mass flow rate, nozzle area ratio, fuel-oxidizer mixture ratio, and the igniter length-to-diameter. The heat transferred via the igniter nozzle exit was computed using 3-dimensional numerical simulations. We also manufactured and tested the igniter based on a deduced design to confirm ignition performance of the designed spark torch igniter. The igniter developed through this study could contribute to the development of practical propulsion systems such as upper-stage engines of small launch vehicles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.103-120
• /
• 2010

A development history of the thrusters used for space-vehicle orbit maneuver/attitude control is reviewed with their performance characteristics. Especially, a scrutiny is made for the current and practical application of TVC/Gimbal/Thrusters to the roll/pitch/yaw-axis control of each stage of launch vehicles. It is well perceived that a precise 3-axis attitude control system (ACS) must be equipped on the final stage of space launch vehicles (SLV) for an attainment of orbit-insertion accuracy. Under the superior reliability as well as moderate performance features, the monopropellant hydrazine thrusters occupy most of the SLV's 3-axis ACS currently operated. Domestic development status of the medium-thrust-level thruster is shortly introduced, finally.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.364-374
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to perform the reliability-corrected development cost estimation of the launch vehicle at the conceptual design phase. In order to estimate the launch vehicle development cost, the estimation method based on the independent variable such as the rocket performance and dry mass has been mainly implemented up to now. This approach has made the approximate cost estimation possible, however, the cost variation according to the reliability requirement could not be reflected. In this paper, the cost estimation methodology that introduces the reliability factor in addition to the performance and mass in the TRANSCOST model is presented in order to improve the limitation of current cost estimation method. The development cost of KSLV(Korea Space Launch Vehicle)-II is estimated on the basis of this newly implemented concept with reliability as an added parameter.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2004

KSR-III is the first Korean sounding rocket propelled by a liquid propellant propulsion system and it has been developed over 5 years using purely domestic technologies. The propulsion system of KSR-III is a 13-ton class see-level thrust liquid rocket engine(LRE) which utilizes liquid oxygen and kerosene for its propellants and employed pressurized propellant feeding and ablative cooling system. The problem of combustion instabilities which has brought the most difficulty in the development was resolved by implementation of a baffle. Through the development of KSR-III LRE, meaningful achievements have been made in the core technologies of LRE such as design of injectors and combustion chambers and test, evaluation, and control of combustion instabilities. The acquired technologies will be applied to the development of higher performance LREs necessary for future space development programs such as Korean Small Launch Vehicles(KSLV) In this paper, the development of KRE-III LRE system is described including its design, analyses. performance tests and evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2003

The trend of miniaturization has been applied to the research on micro rockets resulting in prototype rockets fabricated by MEMS processes. In this paper, the development of three-dimensional micro rockets using micro milling as well as the results of combustion and flight tests are discussed. The body of rocket was made of 6061 aluminum cylinder. The three-dimensional micro nozzles were fabricated on brass by micro endmill with 127${\mu}m$ diameter. Two different micro nozzles were fabricated, one with 1.0mm of throat diameter and the other with 0.5mm. The total mass of rocket was 7.32g and that of propellant was 0.65g. The thrust-to-weight ratio was between 1.58 and 1.74, and the flight test with 45 degree launch angle form the ground resulted in 46m-53m of horizontal flight distance

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.47-57
• /
• 2011

All solid rocket propellants are divided in two basic classes according to chemical state: homogeneous(double base) and heterogeneous (composite). Today, composite propellants are extensively used as power sources covering the range from gas generators and small rocket systems to large launch vehicles in space programs. The development of composite rocket propellants in the past was mainly directed to thermoset polymers. But, the thermoset composite propellants have the complication in formulation and fabricating process to adapt to rocket system requirements. In contrast to the thermoset propellant, the PVC plastisols composite propellants have the advantages in the view of loss in manufacturing process, low cost of raw material, and stability of the handling process even though moderate ballistic and mechanical properties. It is predicted that the application field of this class will be used more widely than any other classes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.32-42
• /
• 2022

The strategy to develop a launch vehicle family by bundling multiple rocket engines of a single type has been proven by SpaceX and their reusable fleet comprised of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. In this study, we revisit a potential launch vehicle family out of a 35 tonf-class methalox staged combustion cycle engine and evaluate their utility and performance in various space missions. For example, a Korean version of Falcon 9 can deliver 4.7 tons of payload into 500 km SSO in an expendable mode while the payload is reduced to 2.16 tons in a sea-landing reusable mode. A Korean version of Falcon Heavy can deliver 4.4 tons into GTO when launched from the Naro Space Center, indicating that this common booster core configuration can handle Cheollian 2 albeit the high inclination. Once developed, the same methaloax engine can power the first-stage of smallsat launch vehicles and air launch vehicles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2012

In general, solid propulsion offers cost effective, large thrust capabilities comparing to the liquid propulsion which offers high specific impulse and restart capabilities. Therefore, solid propulsion is well fitted for the first stage and boosters. Building Block Launcher(BBL) approach has been studied for the launch vehicle because of cost effectiveness, limited development time and low risk. Using of the carbon fiber epoxy resin in the solid rocket motor case is expanded, and specially high strength fibers are more attracted since its inert mass reduction.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 1991.11a
• /
• pp.361-365
• /
• 1991

The problem being considered here is the determination of optimal guidance laws for a launch vehicle for scientific missions. The optimal guidance commands are determined in the sense that the least amount of fuel is used. A numerical solution was obtained for the case where the position and velocity state variables satisfy a specified constraint at the time of thrust cutoff. The method used here is based on the Pontryagin's maximum principle. This is the method of solving a problem in the calculus of variations. In particular, it applies to the problem considered here where the magnitude of the control is bounded. Simulations for the optimal guidance algorithm, during the 2nd and the 3rd-stage flight of the Japanese rocket M-3H-3, are carried out. The results show that the guided trajectory that satisfying the terminal constraints is optimal, and the guidance algorithm works well in the presence of some errors during the 1st-stage pre-programmed guidance phase.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2003

This paper introduces ground feeding facility for flight test of sounding rocket(KSR-III) which use liquid propellants and addresses facility configuration, development process and results. Supply of propellants and pressurization gases to vehicle according to predefined launch scenario is the primary goal of ground feeding facility. It was constructed at KSR-III launch site, verified by several tests and used for the flight test successfully.