A Simple Model for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Sizing and Performance Estimates

About this technology

Overview

A simple model for a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) engine cycle. Two implementations of this model are provided. The first implementation is a Visual Basic computer code that resides as a macro for execution in a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is the interface for the code where required inputs may be supplied and outputs are recorded. The alternate implementation is a MATLAB code. The MATLAB implementation includes a user interface and the MATLAB subroutines that perform the RDRE calculations. The result is a RDRE simulation that runs on a personal computer and can deliver reasonable estimates of engine performance, size, and flow rate for a given notional application. This in turn allows preliminary assessment of RDRE benefits for various missions.