ROCKET PROPULSION

ROCKET PROPULSION

Rocket propulsion systems can be classified according to the type of energy source (chemical, nuclear, or solar), the basic function (booster stage, sustainer, attitude control, orbit station keeping, etc.), the type of vehicle (aircraft, missile, assisted take-off, space vehicle, etc.), size, type of propellant, type of construction, or number of rocket propulsion units used in a given vehicle. Each is treated in more detail in subsequent chapters.Another way is to Classify by the method of producing thrust. A thermodynamic expansion of a gas is used in the majority of practical rocket propulsion concepts. The internal energy of the gas is converted into the kinetic
energy of the exhaust flow and the thrust is produced by the gas pressure on the surfaces exposed to the gas, as will be explained later.