Roketsans Technological Capabilities for Space Propulsion Applications
ROKETSAN A.S. is a tactical missile manufacturer in Turkey, which is founded in 1988. The company has a wide range of solid propellant rocket motor (SRM) designs and participated in several joint programs in order to meet Turkish Military Force demands. ROKETSAN, as described in its establishment mission statement, continuously develops SRM technologies both under the projects of Ministry of Defense and in-house Research and Development (R&D) programs. Although ROKETSAN established and developed its capabilities on SRM production for defense applications, space related engineering studies were carried out during recent years. For this purpose an R&D project with Turkish Air Force requirements has been undertaken. In this project ROKETSAN modeled space launcher systems and satellite orbit/attitude control propulsion systems.
To achieve the objectives described, a brief description of ROKETSAN company profile is given and the projects of which are undertaken. SRM technology breakdown will be given in the presentation while describing engineering, production and test capabilities of ROKETSAN. In order to demonstrate and enhance design, analysis, production and test capabilities for space propulsion purposes, ROKETSAN using its in-house resources, developed a Demonstration motor. Although this is a subscale motor, it represents important characteristics of a space launcher SRM. The demonstration motor results show the capabilities of ROKETSAN development and manufacturing teams, which may be increased to meet the needs for space applications. ROKETSAN continues to develop its current capabilities in order to be the manufacturer of the national launch vehicles of Turkey.
Source: ISPW2004
Istanbul Space Propulson Workshop
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Design and Testing of a Hydrogen Peroxide-Kerosene Liquid Rocket Engine
In a joint research project between TÜBTAK-SAGE and the Mechanical Engineering Department of METU, Turkeys first operational liquid rocket engine has been designed, manufactured and tested.
The liquid rocket engine has the following specifications: a thrust of 4000 Newton, duration of 1 second, chamber pressure of 70 bar, oxidizer and fuel mass flow rates of 14.4 and 1.6 kg/s, respectively, specific impulse of 250 seconds, and oxidizer-to-fuel ratio of 9.
The liquid rocket engine is composed of the following parts: integrated combustion chamber and its nozzle, an injector, a pyrotechnic igniter, oxidizer, fuel and nitrogen gas tanks, and feeding systems consisting of flow and pressure control valves.
The combustion chamber was designed to provide complete combustion of fuel and oxidizer. The bell-type nozzle provided optimum expansion with the minimum losses.
Source: ISPW 2004
Istanbul Space Propulson Workshop
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A delegation from the Ministry of National Defence of Turkey and the Turkish
company Roketsan visited NSAU on 5 March 2007. A meeting with the Turkish
delegation was held in accordance with an agreement made with the Turkish side
regarding preparations for the implementation of the joint projects in the space
sector planned for in the framework of an agreement between the Government of
Ukraine and the Government of Turkey on cooperation in the exploration and
peaceful uses of outer space.
During the meeting with the Turkish delegation, organizational measures to
implement a joint project for the establishment of an aerospace rocket complex, as
well as measures that are being carried out by the Turkish side for the entry into
force of the intergovernmental agreement and the memorandum of understanding
between NSAU and the Ministry of National Defence of Turkey on cooperation in
the establishment of the aerospace rocket complex were discussed.
On 6 and 7 March 2007, a Turkish delegation visited the Yuzhnoye State
Design Office to discuss next steps in the implementation of the aerospace rocket
complex project, in particular organizational measures needed to prepare
administrative and technical documents for the project. Based on the results of the
visit, the parties agreed to step up efforts to implement the project.