Rocket plume tomography of combustion species
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Authors
Kutrieb, Joshua M.
Subjects
Advisors
Brophy, Christopher
Sinibaldi, Jose
Gopinath, Ashok
Date of Issue
2001-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Interest in accurate detection and targeting of aggressor missiles has received considerable interest with the national priority of developing a missile defense system. Understanding the thermal signatures of the exhaust plumes of such missiles is key to accomplishing that mission. Before signature models can be precisely developed for specific rockets, the radiation of the molecular or combustion species within those plumes must be accurately predicted. A combination translation / rotation scanning diagnostic technique has been developed to map the combustion species of a rocket plume and characterize its radiation properties. Using new infrared spectrometer and fiber optic cable technology to transmit the signal spectrum of interest, the custom designed mechanism can sweep through two dimensions of a steady-state rocket exhaust. A glow bar, or blackbody simulator, is shuttered on the opposite side of the plume, allowing the spectrometer to measure both the emission and absorption spectra. This thesis demonstrated the first time use of fiber optic cable to transmit infrared emission / absorption (E/A) spectra from a rocket plume to an infrared detector. This new fiber optic configuration allows for rapid translation and rotation around the rocket plume, establishing the capability for rapid spatial characterization of the combustion species present. Experimental results may then be compared to DoD rocket plume model predictions to highlight areas for improvement.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xiv, 76 p. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.