Dynamics model and simulation optimization analysis of single stage water rocket

The initial launch parameters of water rocket have a significant impact on its flight performance, such as speed and altitude. In this paper, the dynamic equation in the form of parameter increment was obtained through the force analysis of the ascending section of a single stage water rocket, which can effectively reduce the complexity of the numerical calculation program. The numerical calculation of water rocket flight speed, altitude and other parameters was carried out, and the optimization design direction of three parameters of nozzle diameter, initial water loading and initial pressure was proposed. The results indicate that reducing the nozzle diameter will increase the duration of the propulsion phase and affect the maximum speed and height that the rocket body can reach during the propulsion phase. There is an optimal volume ratio of 0.50 for water loading to achieve the highest flight altitude. As the initial pressure increases, the maximum flight altitude linearly increases with a pattern of 0.0767 m/kPa, while the duration of the propulsion phase will decrease with the increase of the initial pressure. The analysis in this paper provides an important reference for the scheme design and structural optimization of water rocket missions.