Abstract: A rocket engine comprising a rotating detonation rocket engine and three propellants. The propellants comprise of at least one of an oxidizer and at least one fuel. A third propellant, a fuel, oxidizer or inert fluid, may be injected to control the detonation characteristics. The rocket engine may further include wan additional rocket engine wherein a pump provides pressure for multiple engines. The rocket engine may further include multiple turbopump shafts for independent control of the propellants.

Abstract: A rocket engine system having a heating system configured to heat an oxidizer; a combustion section having a flow path from an upstream inlet section through a restricted throat section to a downstream outlet section, the combustion section configured to accelerate the heated oxidizer as an oxidizer stream within the flow path in response to flow dynamics to supersonic speed; and a fuel system configured to introduce a fuel into the flow path to mix supersonically with the heated oxidizer to define a combined fuel and oxidizer stream at a first supersonic speed. The combined fuel and oxidizer stream undergoes a deflagration to denotation transition in the combustion section defined by an oblique shock wave and a normal shock wave that interact to achieve a standing detonation wave generally at an upstream portion of the restricted throat section configured such that combustion exits the downstream outlet section to provide thrust.

Abstract: A rocket engine system including a thrust chamber including walls that define an interior surface and a combustion section which is fluidically coupled to an output section. A coolant source containing a coolant. A means of heating the coolant. At least one port configured to apply the coolant to the interior surface to achieve a film cooling of the interior surface and wherein the coolant source is fluidically coupled to the means of heating and the at least one port.

Abstract: An integral propulsion and auxiliary power generation system includes a rocket engine, a liquid propellant supply system, an auxiliary electrical system, and a transmission system. The liquid propellant supply system is configured to supply a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer to the rocket engine. The liquid propellant supply system includes a gas generator configured to burn a mixture of the liquid fuel and the liquid oxidizer to generate a combustion gas stream, and a gas turbine configured to convert the kinetic energy of the combustion gas stream into mechanical energy. The auxiliary electrical system includes a power generator configured to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and an electric load device electrically coupled to the power generator. The transmission system is configured to mechanically couple the gas turbine and the power generator to selectively transfer mechanical energy between the gas turbine and the power generator.

Abstract: A rocket configured to employ superheated water as a propellant, includes a photon reactor including a photon generator configured to generate UV light to superheat water.

Abstract: A rocket engine system having a heating system configured to heat an oxidizer; a combustion section having a flow path from an upstream inlet section through a restricted throat section to a downstream outlet section, the combustion section configured to accelerate the heated oxidizer as an oxidizer stream within the flow path in response to flow dynamics to supersonic speed; and a fuel system configured to introduce a fuel into the flow path to mix supersonically with the heated oxidizer to define a combined fuel and oxidizer stream at a first supersonic speed. The combined fuel and oxidizer stream undergoes a deflagration to denotation transition in the combustion section defined by an oblique shock wave and a normal shock wave that interact to achieve a standing detonation wave generally at an upstream portion of the restricted throat section configured such that combustion exits the downstream outlet section to provide thrust.

Abstract: A rocket engine system comprising a rocket engine, coolant and a coolant source, propellant and a propellant source, a turbopump, and a heat source. The coolant is pressurized and then heated through a heat source to a supercritical state for augmented heat transfer. The heat source may be a heat exchanger with returning coolant, or a preburner. The rocket engine system may further comprise at least one additional rocket engine with a pump to provide pressure for multiple engine. The rocket engine system may further comprise multiple turbopump shafts for independent control of propellants.

Abstract: An improved rocket engine system including a rotating detonation rocket engine, and three propellants. The propellants consist of at least one oxidizer and at least one fuel. A third propellant, a fuel or oxidizer or inert fluid, is injected to control the detonation characteristics. The improved rocket engine system may further include at least one additional rocket engine (pump provides pressure for multiple engines). The improved rocket engine system may further include multiple turbopump shafts for independent control of the propellants.