3 HN users recommended this documentary3 months2019–2022score 3.5
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN commenters recommend the series for its in-depth, hands-on explanation of how V2 turbopumps and peroxide decomposition work.
A very long, detailed look at the A4/V2 rocket turbopump, the steam-turbine-driven twin propellant pump system. It covers the peroxide and permanganate catalysis that drives the turbine. This is part 1 of a series on V2 components.
“this series of videos is definitely worth watching” (HN, 2022)
If that interests you then this series of videos is definitely worth watching. It details several parts of the German V2 missile, the grand father of all modern liquid propellant rockets. This one is about the turbopump which is one of the most interesting parts. [this video]
Series detailing V2 parts, this one on the turbopump
For an in-depth and interesting explanation of how that works, I enjoyed this video: [this video] Includes a demonstration of the potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide at around the 52 minute mark.
In-depth V2 turbopump explanation with peroxide permanganate demo
The German V2 rockets also used hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst (sodium or possibly potassium permanganate) to drive their turbopumps (which pumped LOx and alcohol into the engine.) Here's a pretty good 2.5 hour long documentary about the V2 turbopumps specifically: [this video] (The H2O2/catalyst system is discussed/demonstrated around the 45 minute mark.)
Long documentary on V2 turbopumps and peroxide catalysis
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