SFB-TR 40

Next-generation space transportation systems will be based on rocket propulsion systems which deliver the best compromise between development and production cost and performance. The SFB-TR40 focuses on liquid rocket propulsion systems and their integration into the space transportation system. Atmospheric re-entry of re-usabel space transportation systems will not be investigated in this project. Instead, specific problems of rocket propulsion systems are the main focus of the SFB-TR40.

Critical, thermally and mechanically highly loaded components of such space transportation systems are:

• the combustion chamber
• the nozzle
• the aft body and
• structure cooling.

These components offer the highest potential for the efficiency increase of the entire system. However, all components are in close and direct interaction with each other. Optimisation or even the fundamental new design of a single component directly affects all other components. Therefore, the investigation of individual components separate from the others leads to suboptimal results.

The nozzle flow and its interaction with the nozzle structure is the focus of research area D (fluid-structure interaction). Detailled phenomenological investigations of combustion-chambre flows and its numerical modeling is the main area of interest in research area C (combustion-chamber thermofluiddynamics). The investigation of heat transfer and the analysis of new cooling concepts for hot structures in the combustion chambre and nozzle are the main focus in research area A (structure cooling). Problems of aft-body flow and its interaction with the nozzle flow will be dealt with in research area B (aft-body flow). In the fifth research area (K: cooperation with Astrium GmbH and DLR), concepts close to applications will be scientifically investigated and developed to a stage of applicability. Additionally, principal experiments are going to be conducted to demonstrate new techologies developed in the SFB TR40.

The scientific focus of all five research areas within the SFB-TR 40 is the analysis and the modeling of coupled systems. Based on reference experiments detailed numerical models are developed which serve as basis for efficient and reliable predictive simulation tools for design.

The main objectives of the SFB-TR40 are:

• new concepts for rocket nozzles
• alternative fuels and optimization of the combustion chamber
• new methods for aft-body flow control
• innovative cooling methods for propulsion components.