Rocket Trajectory

In a simplifled form, the firework rocket trajectory can be discussed in terms of basic equations of motion, simplifled even further by the fact that the rocket rises in the air for a few seconds after which the flight is prematurely terminated when the pyrotechnic effects are released. 

Ionization of macro-particles is determined by their work function, which is usually essentially lower than the ionization potential of atoms and molecules. Therefore, thermal ionization of aerosol particles provides high electron density and conductivity at relatively low temperatures, which is apphed in particular in magneto-lydrodynamic generators (Kirillin Sheindlin, 1971) and rocket engine torches (Musin, 1974). Absorption and reflection of radiowaves by the plasma of the rocket engine torches affects and complicates control of the rocket trajectory. Also, the electron density in flames can be high because of thermal ionization of macro-particles (see, for example, Shuler Weber, 1954). 

Earth to space (sateUite) to earth communication links are relatively insensitive to ionospheric disturbances. Communications between earth and manned space vehicles are barely affected by plasmas when the spaceships are well away from the atmosphere, eg, in orbit or in a translunar trajectory. However, during reentry of a spaceship, a low temperature plasma forms around the vehicle and intermpts the communication links to it (183). Plasmas are incidental to the performance of modem rockets used to explore the solar system. 

Panzerschreck. A Ger Wwii weapon, similar to the American Bazooka. It fired an 88mm projectile, which was about 50% larger than the Bazooka, but its trajectory was more curved and its range shorter. Two persons were required to operate the weapon. Later in the war, the rocket size was increased to 100mm. This resulted in better penetration, but made the weapon too heavy to use, and it was superseded by the Panzerfaust. 

Fig.4.n Rocket flight trajectories assisted by (a) an NC-NG double-base propellant and (b) an aluminized AP composite propellant. 

HCl molecules form visible white fog when water vapor is present in the atmosphere. An HCl molecule acts as a nucleus, becoming surrounded by HjO molecules, which forms a fog droplet large enough to be visible. When the combustion products of an AP composite propellant are expelled from a rocket nozzle into the atmosphere, a white smoke trail is seen as a rocket projectile trajectory whenever the relative humidity of the air is above about 40%. Furthermore, if the temperature of the atmosphere is below 0 °C (below 273 K), the HjO molecules generated among the combustion products form a white fog with the HCl molecules even if the relative humidity is less than 40 %. Thus, the amount of white fog generated by the combustion of an AP composite propellant is dependent not only on the humidity but also the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere. 

When a projectile assisted by a ducted rocket flies at velocity V along a trajectory with an angle 0 with respect to the ground, the thrust F is represented by... 

The firework mentality also decreed that even if the range was achievable, in order for an unguided rocket to follow a rainbow trajectory across the English Channel and fall, under gravity, onto London, the launch angle would have to be impossibly precise - about half a degree from the vertical, in fact. 

Rocket. An unmanned self-propelled vehicle, with or without warhead, designed to travel above the surface of the earth and whose trajectory or course, while in flight, cannot be controlled. Excludes Guided Missiles and other vehicles whose trajectory or course, while in flight, can be controlled remotely (Ref 40a, p 122)... 

Classification, Missiles are commonly classified by their launch and target environments, as well as by popular names. Other methods of classifying guided missiles are by trajectory, speed (subsonic, sonic or supersonic), propulsion (air breathers, usually jets or rockets), guidance (command, Inertial or homing), payload (such as nuclear, high explosive, or electronic jammer), and purpose (strategic or tactical, offensive or defensive)... 

EngrgDesHndbk, Recoilless Rifle Weapon Systems , AMCP 706-238 (1976), 8-24 to 8-25 9) L.R. Rollstin, Experimental Determination of the Artillery Shell Mass-Property/Trajectory-Drift Relationship , JSpacecraft Rockets 16 (2) (1979), 108-14... 

Booster Rocket. Any high-thrust unit or assembly that fires at take-off to get a missile(such as a rocket,bomb,shell) or an unmanned or manned aircraft, to which it is attached, started along its trajectory. Usually, a booster rocket produces a much greater thrust than the 2nd stage or sustained power plant of a rocket. Booster rockets are usually propelled by a solid propellant(such as in the Nike -Ajax missile) but liq proplnts are also used. The booster rocket should not be confused with ATO, JATO or RATO engines although there is a considerable similarity in design. A liquid-propelled booster rocket is used when the requirements are more extensive than normally available from solid-pro-... 

In order that a rocket may be launched on a definite trajectory, a device called a launcher is required. Aside from providing means for initiating ignition of the rocket propint, the launcher is required only to aim the rocket. Consequently, rocket launchers may be so light and portable that they are wheel-mounted or motorized, aircraft-mounted, or, in the case of the bazooka, designed to be carried about by a man. They utilize rails, posts, tubes, or other devices to both carry and guide the rocket. Thus, rockets can be fired from aircraft and from ground areas inaccessible to conventional artillery... 

The re-entry vehicle carried by each missile is so designed that its speed and trajectory are corrected by four small vernier rockets before it separates from the burned-out second stage. 

The advantages of a monopropellant over a bipropellant combination result primarily from a substantial reduction in the number of components in the tankage and flow hardware. The attractive simplications in the propulsion system resulting from the use of monopropellants are obtained only at the expense of a reduced specific impulse. The resulting implied trade-off between simplicity and propellant performance limits the attractiveness of monopropellants to propulsion systems where a simplicity and the usually associated reliability which comes with simplicity are premium desired characteristics. Typical applications have included attitude control rockets, vernier rockets for mid-course trajectory corrections, and other low thrust propulsors, especially those having a requirement for pulsed operation or repeated restarts. Monopropellants also find application as a source of relatively low temperature working fluids, as for driving gas turbines. 

Applications. To date, the liquid propellant systems used in chemical propulsion range from a small trajectory control thruster with only 0.2 lbf (0.89 N) thrust for orbital station-keeping to large booster rocket engines with over l. 0 million lbf (4.44 MN) thrust. Bipropellant propulsion systems are the most extensively used type today for... 

---