A new rocket design which will be used on the upcoming X-33 prototype
design, is literally turning rocketry inside out.
Instead of using the familiar cone design in which flames are contained
within the cone, the new rocket will instead shoot its flames along the outside
surface of an inverted cone or curved surface.
The new design is expected to be more efficient, and to be an overall
simpler design.
Proponents of this "aerospike" engine say that because combustion gases are
constrained by the rocket structure on only one side, they will be able to
adjust to atmospheric pressure changes, improving thrust.
The aerospike will be used in Lockheed Martin's X-33 prototype of a
resusable, single stage to orbit, launch vehicle (the Venture Star). Two
aerospikes will power the X-33.
Aerospikes replace the large combustion chamber of conventional rockets,
using instead an array of smaller thrusters.
The X-33 and the Venture Star will use linear aerospikes in which parellel
lines of combustors fire out onto a curved rectangular surface.
The X-33 can generate 205,000 pounds of thrust using its 20 small
combustors. The Venture Star will be able to create 431,000 pounds of thrust
with only 14 combustors.
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