Main engine for Vega launch vehicle stage IV Results of experimental testing and qualification
- Paper number
IAC-08.C4.1.4
- Author
Dr. Vladimir Shnyakin, Yuzhnoye State Design Office, Ukraine
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Yuzhnoye State Design Office, pursuant to the contract with Avio Company, Italy, is finalizing work activities on development, experimental testing, upgrade and fabrication of a flight model of the main engine unit for a liquid-propellant propulsion system of the stage IV control module designed for the European Vega launch-vehicle. The MEU operates on the following propellant components: unsymmetrical dimethilhydrazine and nitrogen tetraxide with a positive displacement system for propellant components delivery. The MEU incorporates a chamber borrowed from the batch-production RD869 engine featuring a turbo-pump system for propellant components delivery that was modified as of its mount elements into the LPS taking into consideration availability of a gimbal suspension, which is positioned on a mixing head, and with minor adjustment of parameters as concerns the internal curtain cooling by fuel. By now, utilizing the test facilities of YSDO, there were conducted dynamic and fire tests of two experimental MEU models in a broad range of parameters variations, as well as qualification dynamic and fire tests of the two experimental MEU models in compliance with the requirements stipulated in the Avio statement of work. As a result of the qualification test efforts, there was confirmed operability and obtained essential characteristics in the qualification range of propellant input pressure and temperature variations at the inlet to the engine, and stability of operating processes during ignition, and at steady-state operational modes. There was also validated operability of the MEU during the process of "cold" and multiple "hot" burns. The total time of the KM 1 MEU operation during nine FTs at 29 burns amounted to 2541.98 s. There were no remarks as of its operability. There was a decision made on performance of supplementary FTs for this specimen of the MEU to define thermal effects, as well as to test the MEU with pulsators. Both types of testing procedures were successfully finalized. The engines surplus operating time amounted to - 535 s during heat tests, and to - 823 s during testing procedures with the pulsator. Thus, the total engines operating time added up to - 3900 s. The paper presents the results of these tests. The results of experimental testing, upgrade and qualification efforts for the Vega LV stage IV LPS MEU confirmed faultlessness of the rehabilitated technological processes for the MEU manufacture, and compliance of the MEU actual performance attributes with the specified ones. The operating processes in the engine chamber during ignition, as well as at transient and steady-state operational modes are stable. There was validated operability of the MEU during multiple "hot" ignitions, and the assigned resource during operation on qualification and extended operational modes within the parameters variation range.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.C4.1.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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