Re-Ignitable Gas Generator Cycle Rocket Engine

Abstract

One of the most essential design features of a liquid rocket propulsion system is the cycle in which the propellant is processed. The strongest European main engine VULCAIN runs on liquid hydrogen and oxygen, it processes the propellant in a gas generator cycle (GGC). The new upcoming upper stage engine for the European launcher ARIANE will be an expander cycle engine. This upper stage engine will have the ability of re-ignition. Re-ignition must be considered as an essential aspect of in-space propulsion. So far the typical application of the GGC-engine is on the first stage, for lift off from ground. This paper presents a solution how to perform re-ignition also on a gas generator cycle engine. The advantages of a GGC-engine can be extended by this design feature and can be interesting especially for engines of high thrust and high specific impulse for orbital transfer and in-space propulsion.