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Comparison of Rocket and Jet propulsion

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2 views3 pages

Science and Technology

Comparison of Rocket and Jet propulsion

Uploaded by

priyadwivedi050801
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Comparison of Rocket and Jet Propulsion Systems

Feature Rocket Propulsion Jet Propulsion

Oxidizer Source Carries onboard Uses atmospheric oxygen

Operational Altitude Works in space and atmosphere Limited to within atmosphere

Speed Capability Mach 20+ (hypersonic) Up to Mach 12 (scramjets)

Efficiency Less efficient due to oxidizer load More efficient at lower altitudes

Examples PSLV, GSLV, Agni-V BrahMos, X-51 Waverider

Rocket Propulsion

• Rocket propulsion is widely used for launching satellites, space missions, and ballistic missiles. Unlike jet
propulsion, rockets carry both fuel and oxidizer, allowing them to operate beyond the Earth's atmosphere.
Their speed and efficiency depend on factors such as thrust generation, stage separation, and propellant type.
Preparation of missile takes considerable time.

a) Solid Propulsion: Solid fuel is used in solid propulsion. Generally, the fuel is aluminium powder. It can reach
very high speeds quickly.
b) Liquid Propulsion: The liquid propulsion technology uses liquid as fuel. The fuels are hydrocarbons.

Types of Rocket Propulsion & Their Speeds

1. Satellite Launch Vehicles


o Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
▪ Speed: ~27,000 km/h (Mach 23+ in orbit)
▪ Used for launching satellites into polar orbits.
o Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV & GSLV Mk III)
▪ Speed: ~35,700 km/h (Mach 30+ in geostationary orbit)
▪ Used for deploying heavy satellites into geostationary orbits.
o Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
▪ Speed: ~27,000 km/h (Mach 23+ in orbit)
▪ Designed for launching small satellites with cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
2. Missile Systems
o Agni-Series Ballistic Missiles
▪ Agni-I: ~2,500 km range, Mach 6+ speed
▪ Agni-II: ~3,500 km range, Mach 8+ speed
▪ Agni-III: ~5,000 km range, Mach 10+ speed
▪ Agni-IV: ~4,000 km range, Mach 12+ speed
▪ Agni-V: ~5,500+ km range, Mach 24+ speed (ICBM class)
Jet Propulsion

Jet propulsion involves engines that take in atmospheric air, compress it, mix it with fuel, and ignite the mixture to
produce thrust. These engines operate efficiently within the Earth's atmosphere and are commonly used in aircraft and
some missiles.

• Used in cruise missiles that travel within the atmosphere.


• Three principles are involved in any type of jet engine orderly compression, combustion and expansion.
• A reaction engine which releases air with high velocity and results in the production of thrust is known as jet
engine.
• Jet engine is commonly referred as internal combustion air breathing engine. Such engines classically have
a rotating air compressor, which is turbine powered, with the residual power providing thrust through a
propelling nozzle and the process is termed as the Brayton thermodynamic cycle. These engines are used
by jet aircrafts for long distance travel.

Types of Jet Propulsion

1. Turbojet Engine
o The turbojet engines can attain nearly 40-kilometre altitudes.
o Requires a compressor to compress air before combustion. Subsonic combustion.
o Speed Range: Subsonic and supersonic (up to Mach 2-3)
o Example:
▪ MiG-21 (Indian Air Force): ~Mach 2.1
2. Ramjet Engine
o Can attain nearly 55-kilometre altitudes.
o Ramjets require speeds of Mach 2–3 (supersonic) to operate.
o Operates by using forward motion to compress incoming air without a compressor. Subsonic
combustion.
o Speed Range: Supersonic (Mach 2 - 4.5)
o Requires an initial boost (e.g., solid rocket booster or a turbojet engine) to achieve operating speeds.
o Examples:
▪ BrahMos Missile: Mach 3
▪ Meteor Missile (European air-to-air missile): Mach 4+
3. Scramjet Engine (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet)
o Scramjets can reach up to 75 kilometres
o A more advanced variant of the ramjet where combustion occurs at supersonic speeds.
o Speed Range: Hypersonic (Mach 6-12)
o Examples:
▪ ISRO Scramjet Test Vehicle (ATV): Mach 6
▪ NASA X-51 Waverider: Mach 7+
4. Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ)
o A hybrid engine that switches between ramjet and scramjet modes.
o Speed Range: Mach 4-8
o Example:
▪ Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC, USA): Mach 5+

Parameter Turbojet Engine Ramjet Engine Scramjet Engine

No compressor; relies on
Requires a compressor to compress forward speed for air No compressor; relies on supersonic
Operation air before combustion. compression. airflow for compression.

Speed
Range Subsonic and supersonic speeds. Supersonic speeds. Hypersonic speeds

Combustion Subsonic combustion within the Supersonic combustion within the


Process engine. Subsonic within the engine. engine.

More efficient at high speeds


Less efficient at high speeds due to due to no mechanical More efficient at extremely high
Efficiency mechanical compressor. compressor. speeds due to simplified design.

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