Oxidizer Dome

The oxidizer dome serves as a manifold for dis­tributing oxidizer to the thrust chamber injector, provides a mounting surface for the gimbal bearing, and transmits engine thrust forces to the vehicle structure. Oxidizer at a volume flowrate of 2-1.811 gpm enters the dome through two inlets positioned 180 degrees apart (to maintain even distribution of the propellant!.

Thrust Chamber Injector

The thrust chamber injector directs fuel and oxi­dizer into the thrust chamber in a pattern which ensures efficient and satisfactory combustion. The injector is multi-orificed with copper fuel rings and copper oxidizer rings forming the face (combustion side! of the injector and containing the injection orifice pattern. Assembled to the face are radial and circumferential copper baffles which extend down-

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ward and compartmentalize the injector face. The baffles and rings, together with a segregated ig­niter fuel system, are installed in a stainless steel body.

Oxidizer enters the injector from the oxidizer dome. Fuel enters the injector from the thrust chamber fuel inlet manifold, and in order to facilitate the engine start phase and to reduce pressure losses, part of the flow is introduced directly into the thrust chamber. The remaining fuel (controlled by ori­fices) flows through alternate tubes which run the length of the thrust chamber body to the nozzle exit. There, it enters a return manifold and flows back to the injector through the remaining tubes.