1 Introduction to Space Planes and High-Speed Engines

Flashcards designed to help students understand key concepts regarding space planes and high-speed engines discussed in the lecture.

Space Plane

A type of spacecraft that can operate both within Earth's atmosphere and in space, often featuring air-breathing engines for initial atmospheric flight.

ISP (Specific Impulse)

A measure of propulsion efficiency; it indicates how much thrust is produced per unit of propellant consumed over time.

Air Breathing Engine

An engine that uses atmospheric oxygen as an oxidizer to combust fuel, typically operating at lower altitudes.

Saber Engine

A hybrid engine concept that combines air-breathing capabilities for lower speeds with rocket propulsion for high-speed ascent, enabling single-stage-to-orbit operations.

Stoichiometric Ratio

The ideal ratio of fuel to oxidizer in a combustion reaction that allows for complete burning of the fuel.

Transition Mach Number

The speed at which an aircraft moves from air-breathing propulsion to rocket propulsion during ascent.

Thrust-to-Weight Ratio

A measurement that describes the thrust produced by an engine relative to the weight of the engine and the vehicle it propels.

Equivalence Ratio

A measure of how much fuel is present compared to the amount needed for a stoichiometric combustion reaction.

Specific Thrust

The amount of thrust produced for each unit of air passed through the engine, important for engine size and efficiency.

High-Speed Engine

An engine capable of operating at speeds significantly greater than the speed of sound, typically used for advanced aerospace applications.