Preliminary Design of a Radial Turbine for Methane Expander Rocket-Engine

The present paper summarizes recent research efforts carried out at the Italian Aerospace Research Centre, CIRA, aimed at using radial turbines in modern rocket-propulsion systems. Over the last few years, CIRA has been involved in the HYPROB program, funded by the Italian Ministry of Research (MIUR). HYPROB aims at developing competences to consolidate the national background on rocket-engine systems for future space applications. Since nowadays liquid methane represents an innovative fuel in aerospace propulsion, one of HYPROB's objectives is the development of a simulation tool for the preliminary design of the radial turbines used to drive the turbo-pumps in expander-cycle rocket-engines operating with methane.