A Propulsion System for Orbit-to-Orbit Shuttle

This paper describes an advanced development program for the demonstration of the aerospike rocket engine system. This three-task, 31-month program consists of the analytical and design studies to be accomplished under Task I; aerospike thrust chamber experimental segment testing to be accomplished under Task II; and demonstration of the full aerospike thrust chamber to be accomplished under Task III. The program is being conducted at Rocketdyne, a division of North American Rockwell Corporation, under the sponsorship of the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory under Contract F04611-67-C-0116. This paper summarizes the accomplishments of the program to date, and describes the engine system and its possible application to the orbit-to-orbit shuttle (OOS).