LOX-Kerosene Oxidizer-Rich Gas-Generator and Main Combustion Chambers Subscale Testing

Experimental technology demonstration testing has been performed in cooperation between EADS Space Transportation/Germany and KBKhA/Russia Liquid oxygen and kerosene have been chosen as propellants based on previous studies addressing the potential of hydrocarbon fuels for future launch vehicle applications. In a first steps three oxidizerrich gas-generator subscale injection systems have been designed and manufactured. These three injection systems were then hot-fire tested in Russia. The different injection systems were evaluated by temperature variations and by combustion roughness. In a second step three main combustion chamber injection systems for oxidizer-rich staged-combustion cycle conditions have been designed and manufactured. Both gas-generator and main combustion chamber were then hot-fire tested as integrated subsystem. The subscale main chamber injectors were evaluated in terms of performance, chamber wall heat transfer, and combustion roughness.