An Approximate Method for Calculating the Flow Field of a Rocket Exhausting into a Vacuum

摘要

An approximate method for determining the far field flow properties of a rocket exhausting into a vacuum is presented. The technique described is based on radial flow and assumes a density variation both along and normal to the jet centerline. The resulting jet flow field is compared with solutions by the method of characteristics and is shown to have good agreement. Example calculations are provided to demonstrate the present method. (Author)