Project Report on Rocket

Propellants
Project Report Rocket Propellants - Introduction
We know that many satellites have been launched by
different countries for space research.
At first USSR launched her satellite sputanice-1 in 4th
October 1957. Then after few weeks sputnik-II satellite
was launched.
India launcher her first successful satellite vehicle SLV-3
on 18th July 1980. These use chemical substance which
on ignition provide thruster for the rocket to move forward.
ROCKET PROPELLANTS:These are the chemical substances which on ignition
provide thrust for the rocket to move forwarded.
A propellant is a combination of an oreidiser and a full
which when ignited under goes combustion to release
large quantities of hot gases .The passage of hot gases
through the nozzle of the rocket motor provides the
necessary thrust for the rocket to move forward according
to Newtons third law of motion i.e. "every action and
reaction is equal and apposite".

TYPES OF ROCKET PROPELLANTS :1. Solid Propellants

2. Liquid Propellants
3. Hybrid Propellants
1. SOLID PROPELLANTS
These are the mixtures of a solid fuel and a solid oxidizer.
These are of two types:
(1) Composite propellants
(2) Double base propellants
(i) COMPOSITE PROPELLANTS
These are solid propellants which use polymeric binder
such as polyurethane or poly butadiene as a fuel and solid
oxides such as ammonium per chlorate, nitrate or
chlorate.
Performance of these propellants can be increased by
using some additives such as finely divided magnesium or
aluminum metal along with fuel.
(ii) DOUBLE BASE PROPELLANTS

These are solid propellants which mainly use bitingly

cerise and nitro cellulose. The nitro cellulose gels in
nitroglycerine set in as a solid mass.
The main disadvantage of solid propellants is that these
propellants once ignited will routine burning with
predetermined rate. These cannot be regulated.
2. LIQUID PROPELLANTS
These are called liquid propel abuts because these are the
mixture of liquid oxidizer and liquid fuel. Liquid oxidizers
are liquid origin, nitrogen peroxide or nitric acid and liquid
fuels are kerosene, alcohol, hydrazine or liquid hydrogen.
These are of two types
(1) Mono propellants
(2) Bipropellants
(i) MONO PROPELLANTS
The propellants in which a single chemical compound act
as a fuel oxidizer care called monopropellants, e.g.
hydrazine, nitro methane methyl nitrate, hydrogen
peroxide, etc.
Except hydrazine, the other compounds contain both the
oxidizer and the fuel elements in the same molecule.
(ii) BI-PROPELLANTS

These are propellants in which the fuel and oxidizer are

stored separately but are allowed to combine at the time of
combustion. E.g. kerosene and liquid oxygen. Etc.
ADVANTAGE OF ILLIQUID PROPELLANTS OVER
SOLID PROPELLANTS
(i) The illiquid propellants give higher thrust than solid
propellants.
(ii) The thrust generated by liquid propellants can be
controlled by switching on and off the flow of propellants.
On the other hand, the thrust cannot be controlled in solid
propellants.
3. HYBRID PROPELLANTS
These are the propellants which consist of solid fuel and a
liquid oxidize. For example, liquid N2O4 (liquid oxidize) and
acrylic robber (solid fuel)
Examples of propellants used in different rockets
(I) SATURN BOOSTER ROCKETS of American space
programmed used a Minturn of kerosene and liquid
oxygen as the propellant in the initial stage whereas liquid
oxygen and liquid hydrogen are used as propellant in high
altitudes
(ii) Russian rockets such as piton use a liquid propellant
consisting of kerosene and liquid oxygen.
(iii) The Indian satellites SLV-3 and ASLV used composite
solid propellants.

(iv) The rockets PLSV will use solid propellant in the first
and third stages and liquid propellant in second and fourth
stages. The liquid propellant will consist of N2O4 and
unsymmetrical diethyl hydrazine (UDMH) and N2 O4 and
mono methyl hydrazine (M M H) respectively.