Combined Rocket and Airbreathing Propulsion Systems for Space-Launch Applications

A review of rocket-airbreathing combined-cycle propulsion systems for Earth-to-orbit applications is presented. Rocket-based combined-cycle (RBCC) engines take advantage of the synergistic interactions between the rocket and the airbreathing elements of the engine and the use of high-specie c impulse cycles to yield a mission-averaged specie c impulse that is higher than all-rocket technology can provide. An overview of the multimode operation is given, along with a review of both experimental and modeling work that has been done on this class of engines. Selected issues involved with these engines are discussed. These include engine/vehicle integration, e ow-path design for multimode operation, fuel selection, mixing enhancement and afterburning in rocket-ejector mode, thermal choking, and e ameholding. RBCC propulsion is becoming recognized as a promising technology for achieving a signie cant reduction in the cost of delivering payload to orbit.

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