Requirements
Any STEM undergraduate student or rocketry enthusiast with a basic understanding of physics and chemistry should be able to follow along with this guide.
Introduction
Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) are one of the most reliable and simple forms of rocket propulsion. The energy released from the combustion of the solid propellant is capable of generating very large amounts of thrust in a short period of time and with very little operational complexity, making them ideal for a variety of scenarios: rocket boosters, missiles, sounding rockets, and more.
The base form of a solid rocket motor consists of enclosing the solid propellant inside a combustion chamber, with a nozzle at one end. This combustion chamber needs to be strong enough to support the combustion temperature and internal pressure.
When an SRM is ignited, the solid propellant combusts and generates a large quantity of heat, from the chemical bonds breaking and reforming. This heat is the primary driver for the generation of thrust. The hot gases accumulate inside the combustion chamber and generate high pressures (usually from 20 to 70 bar), which forces the gases to escape through the nozzle, since the outside pressure is much lower. The nozzle accelerates the gases by expanding them, converting thermal energy in the form of heat into kinetic energy (speed). The high speed exhaust generates thrust through the 3rd Law of Newton: for every action there is a reaction. Mass being expelled at a very high speed propels the rocket to the opposite direction.
As indicated earlier, a rocket motor or engine does not produce thrust by "pushing" the ground or any other object. This is a common misconception, since generating a force by expelling mass seems counter intuitive for most people. This principle is what makes rocket propulsion so useful for space: in a vacuum, there is no external object to push against. For this reason, by definition, rockets carry all the components necessary for thrust generation. An internal combustion engine, as in a gasoline car, needs Oxygen from the atmosphere to operate. A rocket engine/motor, on the other hand, carries both fuel and oxidizer.
A quick note on oxidizers: althouth the term is very similar o "Oxygen", they are not the same. An oxidizer is a chemical component that donates electrons in a redox reaction, while the fuel receives electrons. OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss of electrons, Reduction Is Gain of electrons.
Methodology
What is a Project?
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Project vs Process
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Mission Objectives
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Conceptual Design
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The Design Process
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The Implementation
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Verification and Validation
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Operation and Analysis
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Solid Propellant
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Propellant Geometry
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Combustion Chamber
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Nozzle Design
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