Source: Alexander S Rattner; Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Aircraft, rockets, and ships produce propulsion by accelerating surrounding fluid or high temperature combustion products to high velocity. Because of the principle of conservation of momentum, the increased fluid velocity results in an effective thrust force on the vehicle. The thrust capabilities of propulsion systems are often measured with static thrust tests. In these tests, propulsion systems are mounted and operated on fixed, instrumented platforms, and the holding force on the mounts is measured as the thrust

In this experiment, a small-scale static thrust measurement facility will be constructed and modeled. The thrust curves for two model aircraft motors and propeller systems and a computer cooling fan will be measured. Thrust efficiencies will also be evaluated (thrust force / electrical power input). Measured thrust values will be compared with theoretical predictions based on measured air velocities.