propulsion
What moves rockets
Propulsion is the force that moves something forward.
The term appears most often in technical contexts—jet propulsion, rocket propulsion, nuclear propulsion—describing systems that generate thrust.
A ship's propulsion system drives it through water; a spacecraft's propulsion carries it through space.
The word implies sustained forward motion rather than a single push.
Forced fluid stream
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- afterburnerExhaust-stream fuel injector
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
- exhaustUse up entirely
turbojet · ramjet · scramjet · accelerate · force · reaction · eject · blast
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- launchSet into motion
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
spaceplane · orbit · booster · stage · payload · liftoff · reentry · lunar
Forceful forward motion
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
mass · kinetic · force · dynamics · mechanics · vector · angular · torque
Blade-driven energy converter
- motorEnergy-to-motion converter
- powerplantFacility producing electricity
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
fuel · compressor · throttle · crankshaft · flywheel · rotor · steam · diesel
Flat-bladed water tool
- oarLever for watercraft
- rudderPivoting stern blade
- sailShip's wind-catching fabric
- outboardExternal boat engine
inboard · waterjet · screw · cavitation · hydrojet · hull · wake · rowing
Sending of information
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
- differentialRelative difference between things
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- drivetrainVehicle power transmission system
powertrain · axle · driveshaft · synchromesh · dual-clutch · overdrive · wheel · traction
jet
Forced fluid stream
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- afterburnerExhaust-stream fuel injector
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
exhaust · turbojet · ramjet · scramjet · accelerate · force · reaction · eject · blast · turbofan
rocket
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- launchSet into motion
capsule · spaceplane · orbit · booster · stage · payload · liftoff · reentry · lunar · interplanetary
thrust
Forceful forward motion
acceleration · mass · kinetic · force · dynamics · mechanics · vector · angular · torque · newton
walk
Travel on foot
crawl · climb · gallop · stride · kick · stroke · flap · slither · leap · bound
turbine
Blade-driven energy converter
- motorEnergy-to-motion converter
- powerplantFacility producing electricity
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
piston · fuel · compressor · throttle · crankshaft · flywheel · rotor · steam · diesel · nuclear
paddle
Flat-bladed water tool
outboard · inboard · waterjet · screw · cavitation · hydrojet · hull · wake · rowing · sculling
transmission
Sending of information
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
- differentialRelative difference between things
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
drivetrain · powertrain · axle · driveshaft · synchromesh · dual-clutch · overdrive · wheel · traction · four-wheel
- maritime studiesseamanship, marine navigation, oceanography, hydrography, maritime safety
- ship designship design, deck plans, stability, buoyancy, ship construction
- espacioplaneta, luna, sol, tierra, cosmos
- flightflying, fly, flight, aviation, aircraft
- motionmotion, movement, velocity, speed, momentum
- swimmingswimming, swimmer, swimmers, swim team, swim teams
propulsiondrag
Resistance through fluid
friction · retardation · braking · resistance · pull
propulsionstasis
State of inactivity
stillness · immobility · motionlessness · inertia · standstill
- nuclear propulsionMovement powered by reactors
- jet propulsionMotion via expelled mass
- propulsion systemEquipment generating motive force
- rocket propulsionThrust from expelled gases
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryNASA spacecraft development facility