Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL ...
Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL ...
Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL ...
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These characteristics were then analyzed in TBEAT using an afterburning turbofan to<br />
obtain the dependence of thrust and Isp on Mach number and altitude (Figure 10).<br />
Thrust<br />
80000<br />
70000<br />
60000<br />
50000<br />
40000<br />
30000<br />
20000<br />
10000<br />
0<br />
0 1 2 3 4 5<br />
Mach<br />
2500<br />
2000<br />
1500<br />
1000<br />
500<br />
0<br />
ISP<br />
Figure 10: TBEAT data for F-100 Engine.<br />
Thrust (10,000 ft)<br />
Thrust (50,000 ft)<br />
ISP (50,000 ft)<br />
ISP (10,000 ft)<br />
As expected as the altitude increases both the thrust and Isp diminish. This is the main<br />
problem for using turbofans in space access systems. As the altitude increases the<br />
density of the incoming air decreases and the engines become inefficient and unable to<br />
produce the required thrust. Another problem is that in high speed flight the turbo<br />
machinery exceeds the maximum temperature of the materials. This causes the engine to<br />
melt itself. The solution is to pre-cool the incoming air to below the machine limits and<br />
to increase the density at high altitudes to retain the high thrust experiences at lower<br />
altitudes.<br />
MIPCC Design:<br />
MIPCC (Mass Injecting Pre-Cooling Compressor) technology dates back to the<br />
early 1950’s. MIPCC is an engine enhancing technology initially designed to propel high<br />
speed fighters beyond Mach 3. These fighters were pursued by the USAF in the early<br />
1950’s to combat perceived cold war threat of high speed USSR bombers. As<br />
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