Table of Contents
What is an alternative to rocket propulsion?
A number of alternatives to rockets have been proposed. In some systems, such as a combination launch system, skyhook, rocket sled launch, rockoon, or air launch, a portion of the total delta-v may be provided, either directly or indirectly, by using rocket propulsion.
What helps the rocket move better?
Like most engines, rockets burn fuel. Most rocket engines turn the fuel into hot gas. The engine pushes the gas out its back. The gas makes the rocket move forward.
What happened to EmDrive?
After failing critical thrust tests, the “impossible” engine has proven to be just that. The “impossible” EmDrive has failed international testing in three new papers. The idea was always far out, but that’s part of how science moves forward.
How can specific impulse be improved?
Balancing the duration of the burn as well as the force generated from the burn is required to improve total impulse. A motor with very high thrust and a short burn time will likely produce a lower total impulse than a motor designed to provide the required amount of thrust over an extended burn duration.
How do chemical rocket engines work?
Chemical rocket engines use the combustion of propellants to produce exhaust gases as the working fluid. The high pressures and temperatures of combustion are used to accelerate the exhaust gases through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. There are two important parts of a chemical rocket engine; the nozzle, and the propellants.
What is the best propellant for a nuclear rocket?
Another substance mentioned for use as a propellant in the nuclear rocket is ammonia. While offering only about one-half the specific impulse of hydrogen for the same reactor temperature as a consequence of its greater molecular weight, it is a liquid at reasonable temperatures and is easily handled.
How do you stop the thrust of a rocket engine?
With a liquid rocket, you can stop the thrust by turning off the flow of fuel or oxidizer; but with a solid rocket, you must destroy the casing to stop the engine. Liquid rockets tend to be heavier and more complex because of the pumps used to move the fuel and oxidizer, and you usually load the fuel and oxidizer into the rocket just before launch.
What are the advantages of ion engines over chemical rockets?
Ion engines produce very small amounts of thrust, but can produce the thrust for long periods of time because the mass flow rates are very small. Ion engines have very high specific impulse when compared to chemical rockets.