Experimental solid and liquid propellant rocket development in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia: 1992-2011

Abstract

This paper reports on the research and development activities related to the experimental solid and liquid propellant rocket in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) from year 1992 to 2011. A total of 41 closed access academic theses and project papers from UTM library archive were exclusively selected for this review work. Some of these theses and papers originally written in Malay language were translated into English language in this paper for better understanding of the research community. This paper gives a historical insight on the apparatus and methodology designed for educational research activities related to rocket propulsion in UTM. With the available resources within UTM, a few chemical propellant using Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Nitrate and hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer were tested in UTM propulsion lab. Besides discussing the rocket fuel components, composite rocket body, ceramic nozzle and alternative binder using natural rubber also covered in this review work. Significant experimental results and numerical findings achieved by UTM researchers were included in this paper.