Overview on Gel Propulsion Activities at DLR Institute of Space Propulsion

Abstract

Since the year 2000 detailed research and technology pre-development work on gel propulsion for rockets and ramjets is conducted at the DLR Institute for Space Propulsion at Lampoldshausen test site. Test facilities are available to conduct rheological investigations, spray experiments under ambient conditions and combustion tests under ramjet and rocket relevant test conditions. This publication gives a short overview about facilities, instrumentation together with some major results of the work conducted. The presented results cover a rheological law (HBE equation) for the shear viscosity / shear rate dependency, flow behavior, generalized and critical Reynolds number dependencies, spray and combustion behavior in separate experimental setups as well as rocket combustor process investigations in a modular model combustor.