The ignition and self-sustaining combustion of the rotating detonation fueled by solid propellant

•Self-sustained rotating detonation combustion is successfully achieved using solid propellant as fuel.•A stable single wave rotating detonation is observed in the experiment, lasting for over 6 seconds, with a detonation propagation velocity of 1675 m/s.•The solid propellant ignitor can reliably establish the rotating detonation combustion. In this study, self-sustained rotating detonation combustion is successfully achieved using solid propellant as fuel. A stable single wave rotating detonation is observed in the experiment, lasting for over 6 seconds, with a detonation propagation velocity of 1675 m/s. A comparison between the high-energy spark and the solid propellant ignitor demonstrates that the high-pressure hot jet generated by the solid propellant can penetrate the recirculation zone along the inner wall of the combustor, thereby reliably establishing the rotating detonation combustion. Validated numerical simulations further elucidate the evolution of the rotating detonation combustion. Several typical stages are identified, including flame propagation in the recirculation zone, multi-pressure wave impingement, coupling between pressure and flame front, and the interaction between the rotating detonation and fuel injection.