A Thrust Generation Model of Microwave Rocket

Abstract

A thrust generation model of Microwave Rocket was studied. The model was proposed based on shock wave propagation driven by an atmospheric plasma on the analogy of a pulse detonation engine (PDE), because the pressure histories measured in a thruster tube resembling to those in a PDE. Furthermore, both the shock propagation speed and the ionization front propagation speed were found nearly constant and identical in the tube when they propagated at a supersonic speed with a high microwave power density. Based on the model, thrust impulse was estimated from the pressure history. Estimated thrust showed a good agreement with the result of the flight experiment.