This paper was presented at the Twentieth National Conference of the Society of Aeronautical Weight Engineers at Akron, Ohio, May 15 – 18, 1961. Why is flow measurement important in rocketry? In the basic rocket propulsion formulas, thrust of the rocket is equal to the specific impulse of the engine multiplied by the weight flow of propellants. Therefore, the flow parameter is critical in the accomplishment of a space mission. However, the state of the art of flow measurement, particularly with cryogenic materials has not yet advanced to the point where it is possible to precisely measure mass flow rate under rocket firing conditions. Ideally, the accurate measurement of propellant flow to the rocket engines with automatic valve control maintaining flow rate within tolerated limits would greatly assist the accomplishment of successful space missions. This ideal will, necessarily have to await advances in the state of the art in flow meter development.
It is the purpose of this paper to present Convair-Astronautics experience with some aspects of flow measurement problem in rocketry, particularly as they relate to missile flight performance and weight management and to point out some future trends.