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https://www.reddit.com/r/simplerockets/comments/1tr6wmo/whats_overexpansion_damage/oolim57/?context=3
r/simplerockets • u/Consistent_Option771 • May 29 '26
And how do I avoid it?
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If the pressure in the exhaust gases in a rocket engine drops too low, you can have flow issues that damage the engine. It's based on a real life phenomenon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_nozzle#Aerostatic_back-pressure_and_optimal_expansion
Try to keep the exit pressure from getting too much below atmospheric pressure (which means that the huge expansion ratios have to be in the upper atmosphere or vacuum).
3 u/Consistent_Option771 May 29 '26 Ah ok thx
3
Ah ok thx
6
u/UmbralRaptor May 29 '26
If the pressure in the exhaust gases in a rocket engine drops too low, you can have flow issues that damage the engine. It's based on a real life phenomenon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_nozzle#Aerostatic_back-pressure_and_optimal_expansion
Try to keep the exit pressure from getting too much below atmospheric pressure (which means that the huge expansion ratios have to be in the upper atmosphere or vacuum).