Ballistic Missile and Space Electronics

Ballistic Missile and Space Technology, Volume II: Propulsion and Auxiliary Power Systems focuses on the exchange of technical information and ideas among engineers and scientists working on ballistic missile and space programs, including hypersonics, aerodynamic heating, material structures, propulsion, communications, computers, and bioastronautics. The selection first offers information on the method for the interpretation of radiographic film of large solid propellant rockets and Soviet rocket propulsion. Discussions focus on applications, large Soviet liquid rocket engines, futuristic propulsion schemes, and Soviet rocket vehicles. The text then examines several criteria for determining the propellant bias for optimum performance of liquid propellant stages and precision determination of vacuum specific impulse from trajectory data. The manuscript tackles charged metal droplets for propulsion, versatile ion source for propulsion, and electrogasdynamic analysis of ion jet neutralization. The book also reviews pulsed plasma accelerator employing electrodes and electrostatic lift for space vehicles. Topics include energy relations, electric induction effects, electrical charging of objects in space, and factors affecting the performance of plasma accelerators. The selection is a primary reference for readers interested in space electronics.