If you want to know how they work, here's a simplified explanation.
Conventional rocket engines have a cone- or bell-shaped end called an exit
cone. Hot gases from combustion expand as they exit the nozzle throat. Those
expanding gases exert force against the exit cone walls, producing additional
thrust. The optimum length is when the gases exiting the end of the cone are at
the same pressure as the external atmosphere.
In an aerospike engine there is also a cone-shaped end, but it is in the center
of the nozzle, tapering away from the nozzle. Pictures and a cross-section view
of an aerospike used in hobby rocketry can be seen at
https://www.rocketmotorparts.com/54mm_Aerospike_Nozzle/p1577809_20383178.aspx. ;
Instead of expanding against an external cone, the gases expand against the
central aerospike to create that additional thrust.
Engines that operate in the upper atmosphere and in space take advantage of the
very low (or zero) external pressure by using the longest nozzle practical;
this means greater expansion and greater thrust. However, in a conventional
engine, a long exit cone would be quite heavy. The central spike of an
aerospike is much lighter than an exit cone of the same length. I'm sure that
there are other advantages but I'm not an expert.
A disadvantage of an aerospike is that the spike is right in the middle of the
hot exhaust, and must be cooled in some way, or made of materials that can
withstand such high temperatures for a long time.
You now know as much as I do about aerospikes. 🙂
Best regards,
TWM
________________________________
From: arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of
கே.பி.எம் மாஸ் கார்த்தி <kpmmasskarthi27@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 9:36 AM
To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AR] Aerospike
Can any explain briefly about aerospike engine ?
