Raketikütuseid

Raketikütuseid, commonly known as rocket fuel, are specialized propellants designed to propel rockets and other reaction engines. These fuels are highly energetic and undergo rapid combustion or decomposition to produce a large volume of hot gas, which is expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust. The fundamental principle behind rocket propulsion is Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

There are two primary categories of rocket fuels: liquid and solid. Liquid propellants consist of a fuel and an oxidizer, which are stored separately and mixed just before combustion. Common liquid fuels include kerosene, liquid hydrogen, and hydrazine, while oxidizers often used are liquid oxygen, nitrogen tetroxide, and hydrogen peroxide. Liquid propellants offer advantages such as high performance and the ability to throttle thrust, but they also present challenges related to storage and handling due to their cryogenic or corrosive nature.

Solid propellants, on the other hand, are pre-mixed compounds that contain both fuel and oxidizer in a solid matrix. Once ignited, they burn until depleted, producing a continuous thrust. These propellants are simpler to store and handle, making them ideal for applications where reliability and long-term storage are critical, such as in solid rocket boosters for space launch vehicles or in military missiles. However, solid propellants are generally less efficient than their liquid counterparts and cannot be easily throttled or shut off once ignited. The choice of propellant depends heavily on the specific mission requirements, including desired performance, cost, safety, and operational complexity.