Propulsion

Propulsion is a course common to the aeronautical branch and is taught in the second year of the Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of León. It consists of a total of 6 ECTS credits and provides students with an initial understanding of how to achieve propulsion on different aerial and space platforms. To this end, it not only studies the propulsion requirements of the platforms but also the basic characteristics of common architectures (piston engines, gas turbine engines, and rocket engines) from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective.

General Objectives

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamental principles of propulsion, from the study of the propulsion requirements of aerospace platforms to the quantification of the propulsion variables of the most common architectures they use.

By the end of the course, students are expected to:

  • Understand the characteristics of the most common propulsion systems in aerospace engineering, as well as their typical applications.
  • Quantify the propulsion requirements of aerospace platforms.
  • Quantify the propulsion capabilities of different propulsion systems.
  • Apply theoretical and practical tools to evaluate the performance of different architectures.

Course Content and Structure

The course is structured into five thematic blocks:

  1. Introduction
    Introduction to propulsive forces and historical review.
  2. Principles and fundamentals of propulsion systems.
    Development of the basic principles of propulsion and their general equations.
  3. Aircraft propulsion requirements.
    Analysis of platform mission requirements for propulsion system sizing.
  4. General characteristics of the different types of propulsion.
    Gas turbine engines, piston engines, space propulsion, and pulsejets.
  5. Propellers.
    General aspects and study of momentum and blade element theories. Definition of coefficients and performance analysis.

Teaching Methodology

The course combines several teaching strategies:

  • Lectures for theoretical content and conceptual development.

  • Problem-solving sessions to apply analytical methods to real-world scenarios.

  • Laboratory practices, including:

    • Propeller performance modeling using the combined theory of the actuator disc and blade element
    • Detailed study of less conventional propulsion systems
    • Wind tunnel practice with propellers to quantify their performance

  • Group and individual tutorials to support student learning and clarify complex topics.

The course emphasizes active learning and the development of both technical and transversal skills, such as critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific communication.