Rocket Plumes

Kurt Motekew

I was wondering if someone could recommend any references dealing with the modeling of rocket plumes. I require "only" a rough estimate of the plume size, shape, and temperature distribution.

This model will be used primarily outside the atmosphere. However, I will also need to model flight within the atmosphere at both subsonic and supersonic speeds.

So far, I've seen references to a couple AIAA papers from the mid 60's using the method of characteristics for this problem. Before hunting down these papers (guess I could still order them from AIAA?), I wanted to see if anyone knew of anything more recent.

Thanks,

- Kurt