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Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen are used as the propellant in the high efficiency main engines of the Space Shuttle. LOX/LH2 also powered the upper stages of the Saturn V and Saturn 1B rockets. Another cryogenic fuel with desirable properties for space propulsion systems is liquid methane.
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FranThe fuel in rockets varies depending on the type of rocket, but commonly used fuels include liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, kerosene, and solid propellants such as ammonium perchlorate. These fuels are ignited and combusted to generate the thrust needed for the rocket to lift off and travel through space.
Most rockets contain two separate substances : a fuel (hydrogen, kerosene) and an oxidizer (peroxide, tetroxide, or liquid oxygen).
Space Shuttle
The current rockets for the Space Shuttle are of two types.
- The two solid rocket boosters (SRB) contain a propellant with ammonium perchlorate as the oxidizer, powdered aluminum as the metallic fuel, and PBAN, polybutadiene-acrylic acid-acrylonitrile terpolymer, as the polymeric fuel binder. The material resembles the soft rubber of a pencil eraser.
- The main Shuttle engines are fueled by liquid hydrogen and liqyuid oxygen contained in the external (orange) fuel tank.
Soviet (Russian) Rockets
The USSR rockets used in their ICBM's and for the Space Race used either liquid oxygen and kerosene or a self-oxidized, highly-unstable fuel based on hydrazine. (The smaller control rockets of the Apollo program used this type of fuel.)
US Military Rockets
Some use hydrazine with nitrogen tetroxide as an oxidizer. The advantage is that these fuels can be stored without constant cooling as with liquid hydrogen and oxygen
(which is normally only in the rockets for a short periods).
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What are the two main types of rockets?
The two main types of rockets are liquid fuel rockets, which use liquid propellants like liquid oxygen and kerosene, and solid fuel rockets, which use a solid mixture of fuel and oxidizer. Liquid fuel rockets offer more control and efficiency, while solid fuel rockets are simpler in design and more reliable.
What are three main types of rockets that power modern spacecrafts?
Three main types of rockets that power modern spacecrafts are liquid-propellant rockets, solid-propellant rockets, and hybrid rockets. Liquid-propellant rockets use liquid fuel and oxidizer, solid-propellant rockets use solid fuel and oxidizer mixed together, and hybrid rockets use a combination of solid and liquid propellants.
Where do some rockets get their oxygen from?
Some rockets, such as liquid fuel rockets, carry liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer in a separate tank. The LOX is then mixed with the rocket's fuel and ignited to create thrust. Other rockets, like solid fuel rockets, have an oxidizer mixed into their solid fuel composition.
What do rockets run on?
Rockets commonly run on liquid fuel, solid fuel, or a combination of both. Liquid fuel rockets use liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, while solid fuel rockets use a solid propellant mixture. Both types of rockets generate thrust through a controlled combustion process.
How do you compare and contrast solid fuel liquid fuel and iron rockets?
Solid fuel rockets use a solid propellant mixture, which is more stable and easier to store compared to liquid fuel rockets that use liquid propellants. Iron rockets typically refer to solid fuel rockets using iron particles as part of the propellant mixture to enhance thrust. Overall, solid fuel rockets are simpler and more reliable but lack the efficiency and flexibility of liquid fuel rockets.
