Syllabus

AEM 4203

Aerospace Propulsion

4 Credits

 

Catalog Description:

 

Basic one-dimensional flows: isentropic, area change, heat addition. Overall performance characteristics of propellers, ramjets, turbojets, turbofans, rockets. Performance analysis of inlets, exhaust nozzles, compressors, burners, and turbines. Rocket flight performance, single-/multi-stage chemical rockets, liquid/solid propellants.

 

Prerequisites by Topic:

 

1. Aerodynamics (AEM 4202)

 

Text:

 

Optional: P.M. Sforza, Theory of Aerospace Propulsion, Butterworth-Heinemann

 

Format of Course: 

 

4 hours of lecture per week

 

Computer Usage:

 

(None)

 

Course Objectives:

 

1.      Develop an understanding of how air-breathing engines and chemical rockets produce thrust.

2.      Develop an ability to do overall engine performance analysis calculations.

3.      Develop an ability to carry out performance calculations for individual engine components.

4.      Carry out performance analysis for chemical rockets.

5.      Gain an understanding of elementary engine design considerations.

 

 

Course Outcomes:

 

1. An understanding of quasi-one-dimensional flow;
2. An understanding of the generation of thrust in air-breathing engines and rockets;
3. An ability to carry out simple performance analysis of subsonic and supersonic inlets;
4. An ability to carry out overall performance calculations of turbojets, turbofans and turboprops;
5. An elementary understanding of combustors, afterburners, and exhaust nozzles;
6. An understanding of axial flow compressors and turbines, and an ability to carry out flow and performance calculations for these;
7. An ability to carry out simple flight performance calculations for rockets;
8. An understanding of the fundamentals of chemical rocket performance;
9. An understanding of how liquid and solid propellant rockets work.

 

 

Relationship of course to program objectives:

 

This course develops knowledge of aerospace propulsion, including turbine and rocket engines, necessary for success in aerospace engineering.

 

Relationship of course to student outcomes:

 

This course supports the following student outcomes:

 

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration public health, safety and welfare, as well as global cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
4. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed using appropriate learning strategies.

 

Outcome Measurement

 

This course is not used to directly measure any of the student outcomes.

 

Course Outline:

 

                                                           

 

Student Survey Questions:

 

In this course I acquired the following:

1.      An understanding of how to apply the conservation equations and the steady flow energy equation to propulsion devices.

2.      An ability to carry out overall engine performance analysis for turbojet, turbofan, turboprop and ramjet engines.

3.      An ability to carry out flow calculations for inlets and exhaust nozzles.

4.      An understanding of axial flow compressors and turbines.

5.      An ability to carry out simple flight performance calculations for single and multistage rockets.

6.      An understanding of how liquid and solid rockets work.

 

Please answer the following questions regarding the course:

7.      The textbook was clearly written and appropriate for the course.

8.      The homework helped me to understand the concepts presented in the course.

9.      The tests were appropriate in length and content.

10.  The level of work required in this course was appropriate for the credit given.

 

Last modified:

 

2018-11-17