Theunis DU TOIT, Valentyn BARANNIK, Viktor YEVLAKHOV, Leonid MOROZ, Vasileios PASTRIKAKIS, Clement JOLY
DOI Number: N/A
Conference number: HiSST-2025-300
In the high-speed propulsion industry, even minor errors can have catastrophic consequences. While engineers typically excel at designing and modelling individual components such as turbines, pumps, and tanks in isolation, failures often occur at the interfaces between these subsystems. Therefore, the ability to model all system components – considering both expected and extreme operational conditions – can significantly improve performance predictions, enhance system reliability, and facilitate optimization across the entire system. This paper demonstrates the advantages of holistic modelling through a practical case study of the European Reusable Staged-Combustion Rocket Engine SLME. By
simultaneously examining the interactions between the rocket cycle, propellant supply systems, turbines, and pumps, we show how integrated modelling enables engineers to identify potential issues, ensure proper operation, and optimize performance across the entire propulsion system. This approach not only improves the accuracy of system simulations but also allows for more efficient design iterations, ultimately contributing to the advancement of high-speed propulsion technologies. This study builds upon previous work published on the digital modelling of SLME engine and aims to demonstrates how integrating all major subsystems – such as the rocket cycle, propellant supply, turbines, and pumps – enables engineers to predict performance more accurately and identify potential failure points.