SHORT OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HISTORY OF THE GERMAN GEL PROPULSION RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Gel mono- and bipropellants (i.e., gelled fuels and/or gelled oxidizers) are interesting candidates for advanced low-hazard rocket or ramjet propulsion systems and gas dynamic systems. Gel propellants combine major advantages of solid propulsion systems and liquid propulsion systems, such as easy and simple storage and handling characteristics (solid systems) and excellent throttleability (liquid systems). This article gives a short overview of the themes and the obtained results about the work conducted in Germany within the last two and a half decades, whereas a focus is set on the progress achieved in the last years.