liquid rocket

Propellant-burning spacecraft engine

A liquid rocket uses liquid propellants—typically a fuel and an oxidizer stored in separate tanks—that are pumped into a combustion chamber where they mix and ignite.

This distinguishes them from solid rockets, which use pre-mixed solid fuel.

Liquid rockets offer more control: thrust can be throttled, stopped, and restarted.

The Saturn V used liquid rocket engines to reach the moon.

propellants

cryogenic

Extremely low temperature

keroseneFlammable petroleum distillate
hydrazineFlammable nitrogen-hydrogen compound
LOXChilled propellant oxidizer

storable · densified

propulsion

engine

Machine producing motion

nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
combustion chamberEngine's ignition cavity
turbopumpRotary propellant pressurizer

injector · oxidizer · fuel · gimbal · gas generator · propellant · igniter · ablative · aerospike

performance

thrust

Forceful forward motion

burn timeHow long something flames
restartableAble to begin anew
delta-vSpacecraft maneuver measurement

thrust-to-weight

Opposites

propellant state

liquid rocketsolid rocket

Propellant-filled thrust device

solid rocket booster

propulsion technology type

liquid rocketion thruster

Electric spacecraft propulsion system

solar sail

Family

liquid, liquids, liquidity, liquefy, liquefied, liquefying, liquefaction, liquidate, liquidated

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G