DENEB 2 Liquid Engine Research

The Deneb 2 Liquid Engine Research project aims to better understand the performance of the Janus series pintle injectors developed on campus. The engine being researched is the Janus 4.2 pintle injector. This injector will fly the Deneb 2 vehicle to 100,000 feet and therefore must generate 2,000 pounds of thrust and operate for 20 seconds using an ablatively cooled combustion chamber. The injector uses kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants, with an oxidizer-to-fuel ratio of 2.4. Previous tests on Janus injectors have shown that the injector has underperformed relative to expectations, prompting this study to explore the injector's performance metrics. The research will identify key factors that can be optimized to maximize the Janus 4.2 injector's efficiency and reliability, ensuring that the Deneb 2 vehicle can achieve its flight objectives.