de Laval nozzles

by Nicholas McAleenan

Submitted : Spring 2017

The design of the de Laval nozzle is one of the most used designs in rocket nozzles as its physical shape is what causes the acceleration of the fuel. By decreasing the area down to a choke point, the speed must increase based on the continuity formula. However, a de Laval nozzle takes it one step further by increasing the area after the choke point, or throat, and also increasing the velocity even further so it can be used as thrust. This one feature allows the de Laval nozzle to be the main nozzle used in rockets since the first rockets designed by Robert Goddard up to the space shuttle and beyond.

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