Rakétahajtóanyag

Rakétahajtóanyag refers to the propellant used in rocket engines. It is a substance or combination of substances that burns or decomposes to produce a high-velocity exhaust stream, which in turn generates thrust according to Newton's third law of motion. Rocket propellants are typically stored in tanks and delivered to a combustion chamber where they are ignited.

There are two main categories of rocket propellants: solid propellants and liquid propellants. Solid propellants are pre-mixed and cast into a solid grain, which burns from the outside in. They are simpler to design and handle but offer less control over thrust once ignited. Liquid propellants consist of separate fuel and oxidizer components that are pumped into the combustion chamber and mixed there. This allows for greater control over thrust and the ability to throttle or shut down the engine.

Common liquid propellants include kerosene and liquid oxygen, or liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Solid propellants often use ammonium perchlorate as an oxidizer combined with a binder and fuel. Hybrid propellants combine aspects of both solid and liquid systems. The selection of a rocket propellant depends on factors such as desired thrust, specific impulse (a measure of efficiency), storability, cost, and safety considerations. Propellants are essential for space exploration, satellite launches, and various military applications.