Stepped nozzle: Difference between revisions

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A stepped nozzle is a de Laval rocket nozzle that has altitude compensating properties: along the inside of the nozzle are straightenings the nozzle contour's curve, each followed by a sharp outward step.

At low altitude the jet separates at the step, and ambient pressure keeps it there, preventing jet instabilities and massive overexpansion.

With altitude the jet becomes expands less and eventually fills the nozzle; the gas then harder presses against the rest of the nozzle, and thrust and specific impulse increases.

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-A '''stepped nozzle''' is a [[De Laval nozzle|de Laval]] rocket nozzle which has [[altitude compensating nozzle|altitude compensating properties]].
+A '''stepped nozzle''' is a [[De Laval nozzle|de Laval]] rocket nozzle that has [[altitude compensating nozzle|altitude compensating properties]]: along the inside of the nozzle are straightenings the nozzle contour's curve, each followed by a sharp outward step.
+At low altitude the jet separates at the step, and ambient pressure keeps it there, preventing jet instabilities and massive overexpansion.
-The characteristic of this kind of nozzle is that part of the way along the inside of the nozzle there is a straightening of the curve of the nozzle contour, followed by a sharp step outwards.
-At low altitude this causes the jet to separate at the step, and ambient pressure maintains the jet at this place, avoiding jet instabilities and avoiding massive overexpansion.
+With altitude the jet becomes expands less and eventually fills the nozzle; the gas then harder presses against the rest of the nozzle, and thrust and [[specific impulse]] increases.
-As the altitude rises the jet becomes progressively under-expanded and grows until it fills the nozzle, at which point the gas provides more pressure against the rest of the nozzle and thrust and [[specific impulse]] increases.
 == See also ==