Hajtóanyagok

Hajtóanyagok, or propellants, are substances or mixtures that produce thrust when expelled from a rocket or jet engine. They are typically composed of a fuel and an oxidizer. The fuel is the substance that burns, while the oxidizer provides the oxygen necessary for combustion, especially in environments where atmospheric oxygen is unavailable, such as in space.

There are two main categories of propellants: liquid propellants and solid propellants. Liquid propellants consist of a fuel and an oxidizer stored separately in liquid form. They are pumped into a combustion chamber where they mix and ignite, producing hot gases that are expelled through a nozzle. This type of propellant offers advantages such as high performance and the ability to control thrust by adjusting the flow rate. Examples include liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, or kerosene and liquid oxygen.

Solid propellants are a homogeneous mixture of fuel and oxidizer in a solid state, often cast into a specific shape within the rocket motor casing. Once ignited, they burn continuously until depleted. Solid propellants are simpler in design and storage, making them suitable for applications where a quick launch or long-term storage is required, such as in boosters for launch vehicles or in certain types of missiles. However, their thrust is generally less controllable once ignited.

Hybrid propellants combine elements of both liquid and solid systems. Typically, a solid fuel is combined with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer. This approach aims to leverage the advantages of both types, offering better control than solid propellants and simpler handling than liquid propellants. The choice of propellant significantly impacts the performance, cost, and complexity of a rocket or jet engine.