Module 14 – Propulsion

Many of the significant
advancements in aerospace vehicles have been facilitated by advancements in
propulsion.

Propulsion means pushing forward an object. A propulsion
system is a machine that produces thrust to push
an object forward. On airplanes, thrust is usually generated through some
application of Newton’s third law of
action and reaction, and facilitated by Newton’s second law, active on the
engine body. A gas, or working
fluid, is accelerated by the engine, and the reaction to this acceleration
produces a force on the engine. But it is not only the jet coming out at the
exhaust that creates thrust, but the entire body of the engine participates in
creation of thrust.

Some aircrafts like fighter planes require very
high excess thrust to accelerate quickly and to overcome the high drag
associated with high speeds.

This
course helps you understand basic construction and working operation of
turbojet, turbofan, turboshaft and turboprop engines and acquire knowledge of
electronic engine control, engine indicating systems and ignition systems.

During the last 60 years, the development of
gas turbine engines as propulsion systems for aircraft has been very fast.
This evolution is illustrated by the
advancement from propeller-driven aircraft to jet powered aircraft.
Advancements in rocket propulsion have enabled us to launch vehicles into Earth
orbit, to the Moon and other planets. And this could be just the beginning.