Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by loeg on Saturday May 02, 2020 @11:18AM
(#23052224)
I guess one question is, can they maintain that precise control over a long enough period of time, without the explosions degrading the injection apertures, to really use the technology.
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Re:UCF researchers develop new rocket-propulsion system
by sandworm101 on Saturday May 02, 2020 @10:53PM
(#23056545)
At the fuel flows they are using, the explosions aren't that much of an issue. These look like wisps of hydrogen and oxygen in a vacuum chamber, not a big jet of fire steaming out of a nozzle. The detonation wave doesn't look like it is contacting much of anything.
They have a sustained rotating ring, a detonation chasing itself around a circle. That's great, its more efficient, but it is a long way from a working engine. They need a properly shaped chamber, a nozzle, and a few other things before they can test for the expected increase in ISP.