The dynamics of a gas–dust cloud expansion in the upper atmosphere at a shutdown of solid-propellant rocket engines

Abstract

The velocity of spherical gas-dust cloud expansion in the situation when the stages of solid propellant rocket separate in the upper atmosphere have been determined. The measured velocity vary from 2.5 to 7.5 km/s. The dispersed component accelerates at the front of a shock that develops at engine thrust shutdown. The model calculations of the gas-dust cloud luminosity intensity qualitatively coincide with the photometric profiles of object images. Such formations can vary from almost homogeneous ball shaped clouds to rather thin spherical shells depending on the gas-dust cloud mass and the matter distribution within this cloud.