Numerical simulations using single step chemical model were carried out to investigate the influence of chamber length on rotating detonation engine (RDE) with an equivalence ratio of 1.0. By analyzing the gas condition parameters of chamber inlet and outlet

the internal mechanism of the influence of chamber length on RDE performance was revealed clearly. The results show that when the chamber length is too short

the detonation wave is not fully formed; the momentum thrust is the main part of thrust; within the range of chamber lengths simulated

the specific impulses are 5410-5566s

thus the chamber length has little effect on RDE performance.