( 4 )

(c) A missile, with 1000 mm diameter, weighing 900 kg is falling

vertically downwards at a near constant velocity of 500 m/s.
Estimate its non-dimensional drag co-efficient CD. Assume
zero propulsion force and air density of 0.9 kg/m3 (at this
condition, the drag must balance the weight).
10+5+5

Ex/PG/CNSE/T/115A/152/2009

MASTER OF CONTROL SYSTEM ENGG. EXAMINATION, 2009

(1st Semester)

ROCKETS AND MISSILES

Time : Three hours

8. (a) Explain (with diagrams) what you mean by static

(aerodynamic) stability of a missile. Why is it often called
weathercock stability?
(b) A cruciform missile is 6m tall from nose tip to base and has
an L/D (length/diameter) ratio of 6. The location of CG is
2800 mm from nose tip. Where must the CP be located for
a positive (stable) static margin 0.3 D?
(c) A missile weighing 100 kg can withstand a maximum angle
of attack of 15 degree. The lift co-efficient of the missile
is 12000 N/radian at 250 m/s forward velocity. What is the
maximum latax? What is the maximum flight path rate?
What is the minimum radius of turn? (Ignore force generated
by the control fins.) 8+6+6

Full Marks : 100

Attempt any five questions, taking at least

one question from Group B.

GroupA
1. (a) Explain in detail the loads which the airframe are to
withstand.
(b) How does a wake form? What steps are to be taken up to
reduce pressure drag?
(c) What is meant by downwash? Explain how loss of lift
occurs due to wake and downwash.
8+6+6
2. (a) How would a spacecraft orbiting in one orbit could catch
up a spacecraft orbiting in the higher orbit.

(b) State Tsiolkovskys rocket equation. When can rocket speed

may exceed the exhaust speed?
(c) Calculate the velocity of the vehicle necessary to be in
circular orbit at 500 km altitude if Gravitational constant
G = 6.671011 Nm2/kg2, Mass of Earth=5.97371024 kg
and Mean radius of Earth = 6371 km. What would be the
escape velocity of 500 km altitude?
6+8+6
[ Turn over

( 2 )
3. (a) A rocket engine produces a thrust of 1000 KN at sea level
with a propellant flow rate of 400 kg/s. Calculate the
Specific Impulse.
(b) A two-stage rocket has the following masses : 1st stage
propellant mass 120,000 kg, 1st stage dry mass 9,000 kg,
2nd stage propellant mass 30,000 kg, 2nd stage dry mass
3000 kg and payload mass 3000 kg. The specific impulses
of the 1st and 2nd stages are 260s and 320s respectively.
Calculate the rockets total change in velocity.
(c) An artificial Earth satellite is in an elliptical orbit which
brings to an altitude of 250 km at perigee and an altitude
of 500 km at apogee. Calculate the velocity of the satellite
at both perigee and apogee. Given, Mean radius of Earth
= 6371 km, Mass of Earth = 5.973710 24 kg and
4+8+8
Gravitational constant = 6.671011 Nm2/kg2.
4. (a) Explain with the help of a schematic diagram the basic
components of liquid propellant rocket engine.
(b) Explain the reasons for using Turbo pump-feed system in
place of pressure feed system for liquid propellant rocket
engines.
(c) Explain with diagram the different types of injector in liquid
propellant rocket engine.
8+4+8
5. (a) State the desirable physical properties of liquid propellants.
(b) What are the significance of Thrust Co-efficient and
Characteristic Velocity?

( 3 )
(c) A ATM booster generates a thrust of 6000 N for 2 sec with
a grain temperature of 20C, chamber pressure 100 atm
and the exhaust velocity is 2000 m/s. Given the specific
gravity of grain to be 1.8, determine grain weight, grain
burning rate and burning surface. Assume a grain diameter
of 140 mm.
5+5+10
6. (a) Explain the reasons for having different solid propellant
grain configurations. What are the different modes of burning
of solid propellant rocket motor?
(b) How solid propellants may be classified? Explain the
characteristics and chemical compositions of each class of
solid propellants.
(c) Explain with the help of a diagram the function of a igniter
in solid propellants.
8+8+4

GroupB
7. (a) With a neat sketch show the locations of the following
components of an anti-tank missile :
wings, fin, propulsion, seeker, guidance and control computer,
fin actuators.
(b) Given that the air density at 6000 m is half of that in the
sea level and assuming that the air density changes with
altitude in an exponential manner derive an approximate
relation between air density and altitude.

[ Turn over