Engineering method for predicting rocket exhaust plumes at high altitude

Abstract The engineering method for the prediction of high-altitude rocket exhaust plume characteristics is proposed, which is based on Cai’s gas kinetic model and virtual collision method and the consideration of the influence on free flow. This engineering method can obtain the main characteristics such as plume range, species separation, flow characteristic distribution, and other main flow characteristics of high-altitude rockets. The single-phase gas of the axisymmetric circular nozzle of solid and liquid engines is taken as the research object, and the reliability of the prediction using the engineering method is verified by comparing the calculation results of the engineering method with the publication data and DSMC results. It provides a reference for the prediction of rocket exhaust plume characteristics at high altitudes.