Conceptual Design of CELESTE: a Cost-Effective, Low-Noise, Efficient, SBJ Turbofan Engine

In response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the AIAA Airbreathing Propulsion Technical Committee, a team of undergraduate students at Georgia Institute of Technology proposed CELESTE, a cost-effective, low-noise, efficient, Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ) turbofan engine, which is capable of an entry into service of 2010, as mandated by the RFP. The RFP stipulated that the powerplant must meet several stringent criteria, including maximum noise levels during takeoff, a maximum tip diameter, and an ability to operate on a specified supersonic business jet airframe that meets certain performance requirements. The figures of merit for CELESTE are the thrust specific fuel consumption for the proposed powerplant, the maintenance and acquisition costs, and the weight of the engine and aircraft. In October 2004, the CELESTE design team at Georgia Institute of Technology was officially awarded first place in the AIAA Undergraduate Team Engine Design Competition.