Computing Propellant Flow Rates

Computing Propellant Flow Rates

Calculating Propellant Flow Rate of an Engine

PF = TN / EV

Equation Explained

PF = Propellant flow in kg/sec.
TN = Thrust in Newtons
EV = Exhaust Velocity of Engine in m/sec.

EXAMPLE: The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) has a ISP of 452 seconds (4,434.12 m/sec exhaust velocity) in vacuum and a thrust of 2.18 meganewtons. What is the propellant flow in kg/sec?

2,180,000 newtons / 4,434.12 m/sec = 491.64 kg/sec propellant flow.