Department

Rocket Propulsion Technology

Research Group

Diagnostic & Support

Thrust chambers that develop more than 3 million horsepower, combustion chambers in which temperatures of over 3,000 degrees Celsius and pressures of up to over 100 bar prevail: the investigation of such systems requires specially adapted measuring techniques.

Research Group

Flows

The Flows research group deals with the numerical investigation and modeling of reactive flows and heat transport in rocket engines. The supersonic flow in expansion nozzles and the acoustic emission of the engine exhaust jet are investigated both numerically and experimentally.

Research Group

Structures

A test facility is available for the experimental investigation of the thermomechanical fatigue of combustion chamber wall and nozzle wall structures, on which cyclic loads at representative heat flows can be simulated under controlled conditions.

Research Group

Combustion Dynamics

The Combustion Dynamics group deals with combustion dynamics processes in rocket combustion chambers. This includes the experimental investigation of fuel injection into the combustion chamber, the ignition process and the experimental investigation and modeling of combustion instabilities in combustion chambers.

With its expertise in the field of cryogenic propulsion, the Rocket Propulsion Technology Department develops the propulsion technologies of tomorrow. Activities include high-quality numerical simulations, propulsion analyses and the entire spectrum of experiments – from research into fundamental phenomena in rocket combustion chambers to application-oriented test conditions – in order to achieve a high degree of technological maturity. As a valued leader in applied research, development, component testing and as a consultant for engine development programs, the department supports independent and competitive European access to space.

News from the department

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Current Projects

Project

NITRO

The Next generation Interface for Test bench Regulation and Operation project aims to develop a flexible measurement and control platform for space propulsion systems.

Project

DISCO 2030

How can different materials be combined so that large but at the same time lightweight components and structures for rocket engines, ship engines and hydrogen tanks can be manufactured?

Project

ENLIGHTEN

The aim of the ENLIGHTEN project is to combine expertise from the space industry, research institutes and start-ups in order to accelerate the development and introduction of technologies for reusable engines and bring them to a technology maturity level of six.

Research and Test Infrastructure

Research and Test Infrastructure

Research and Technology Test Bench P8

The P8 research and technology test bench enables the testing and development of individual engine components through to entire propulsion systems with a wide range of available media.

Research and Test Infrastructure

Technical Center M3

The M3 technical center investigates the basic processes in rocket combustion chambers, in particular fuel preparation, injection, ignition and combustion of rocket propellants, and develops rocket combustion chamber technologies.

Further links

Test cases

RWTH Aachen

The DLR Institute of Space Propulsion provides the following test cases.

Contact

Dr. Justin Hardi

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Rocket Propulsion Technology
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany

Michaela Hanke

Assistance
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Rocket Propulsion Systems
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany