Date of Award:

12-2023

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Stephen A. Whitmore

Committee

Stephen A. Whitmore

Committee

Nicholas Roberts

Committee

Spencer Petersen

Abstract

Rocket motors are critical to the human exploration of space and to the United States missile defense systems. The design and manufacturing of these motors requires extensive simulation and testing to assure the motors will perform as intended and to minimize safety risks. Taking data from inside the rocket motors during tests is extremely difficult due to the intense temperatures inside the motor as it burns; most instrumentation cannot survive in this environment. The research discussed in this thesis aims to develop an instrumentation system composed of a fiberoptic cable which conducts light from the interior of a rocket motor to an external spectrometer, which measures this light. These optical measurements can be analyzed to determine the flame temperature of the burning motor and the relative quantities of the chemical species produced by the reaction. This data will help engineers ensure the motor has sufficient insulation to contain the combustion and determine the efficiency of the combustion reaction.

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