| ROCKET ENGINE COMPONENTS | ||
The nozzle is a key element in providing thrust. Rocket engines use a convergent/divergent nozzle configuration. It is convergent from the combustion chamber to the throat and divergent from the throat to the nozzle exhaust. Gases entering the convergent section from the combustion chamber are subsonic. The convergent section accelerates these subsonic gases until they reach sonic velocity at the throat. After passing through the throat, the divergent section accelerates them to supersonic velocities. This acceleration continues until the gases reach the nozzle exit. High exit gas velocity is a key element in achieving high thrust. |
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