1. Stephan Shurn 20 March 2008 Propulsion Final Slides Rail Guns and LITVC
AAE 450 Spring 2008

2. Rail Guns Removed due to several factors:
High G’s; ~2,000 g’s at 100m to ~101 g’s at 2km length
High energy input starting at ~ 20,000 kW and high current ~13,000 A
High heat loading on nose and body ~3000K
High amount of technology development
AAE 450 Spring 2008
Propulsion

3. LITVC 1st and 2nd stage control
4 valves per stage for perpendicular to centerline injection of H2O2
1st stage tap-off of main H2O2 tank
2nd stage bring own H2O2 pressurized tank
Considered main part of engine for weight/cost due to low complexity
Costs include:
4 valves per $100/valve
Extra propellant
Extra tank on 2nd stage
AAE 450 Spring 2008
Propulsion

4. LITVC Weight Vehicle Stage Propellant Mass (kg) 200 g 1 17.88 2 4.4 3
Total
22.27
1 kg
28.44
10.11
38.55
5 kg
24.87
30.28
55.15
AAE 450 Spring 2008
Propulsion