On the multidisciplinary design of a hybrid rocket launcher with a composite overwrapped pressure vessel
Date
2024
Authors
Souza, Alain
Gonçalves, Paulo Teixeira
Afonso, Frederico
Lau, Fernando
Rocha, Nuno
Suleman, Afzal
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Composite Sciences
Abstract
A multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) study of a hybrid rocket launcher is presented, with a focus on quantifying the impact of using composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) as the oxidiser tank. The rocket hybrid propulsion system (RHPS) consists of a combination of solid fuel (paraffin) and liquid oxidiser (NOx). The oxidiser is conventionally stored in metallic vessels. Alternative design concepts involving composite-based pressure vessels are explored that could lead to significant improvements in the overall performance of the rocket. This design choice may potentially affect parameters such as total weight, thrust curve, and maximum altitude achieved. With this eventual impact in mind, structural considerations such as wall thickness for the COPV are integrated into an in-house MDO framework to conceptually optimise a hybrid rocket launcher.
Description
Keywords
RHSP, MDO, COPV, composites, hybrid propulsion, rockets
Citation
Souza, A., Gonçalves, P. T., Afonso, F., Lau, F., Rocha, N., & Suleman, A. (2024). On the multidisciplinary design of a hybrid rocket launcher with a composite overwrapped pressure vessel. Journal of Composites Science, 8(3), 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8030109