Description : Pogo oscillation is a potentially dangerous type of self-excited combustion oscillation in liquid fuel rocket engines. This oscillation results in variations of thrust from the engines, causing variations of acceleration on the rocket’s structure, giving variations in fuel pressure and flow rate. Pogo places stress on the frame of the vehicle which can be severe. Although the term is frequently written POGO, it is not an acronym, but in fact a reference to the bouncing of a pogo stick.

If the oscillation is left unchecked, failures can result. One case occurred in the middle J-2 engine of the second stage, S-II, of the Apollo 13 lunar mission. Fortunately in this case the engine shut down before the oscillations could cause damage to the vehicle.

USA 1178 - picture enhanced ?

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Space Event :

STS TESTS · MAIN ENGINES