propulsion systems
Force-generating engine arrays
Propulsion systems are the mechanisms that move vehicles forward—engines, motors, rockets, and their associated components.
The term appears most often in aerospace and maritime contexts: The spacecraft's propulsion system failed during launch.
Engineers distinguish between propulsion systems by their power source: chemical, nuclear, electric, or experimental designs like ion thrusters.
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- rocket scienceSpacecraft propulsion engineering
- engineMachine producing motion
- solar sailRadiation-pressure propulsion system
- flagellaWhiplike locomotion appendages
cilia · aerodynamics · ion · turbine · thruster · nozzle · orbital mechanics · escape velocity · deep space · combustion chamber · liquid fuel · oxidizer · burn rate · spacecraft · fuel cell · electric motor · afterburner · rotor
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, spacecraft
- space explorationrockets, Saturn V, satellites, mission, Falcon Heavy
- marine technologysubmarines, submersibles, ROVs, underwater drones, diving equipment
- maritime studiesseamanship, marine navigation, oceanography, hydrography, maritime safety
- rocketryrocket, rockets, rocket fuel, rocket engine, rocket engines
- seamanshipseamanship, steering, anchoring, navigation, chartwork
propulsion systemsbraking systems
Equipment for slowing vehicles
navigation systems · guidance systems · brakes · control systems · regenerative braking
propulsion systemsdrag
Resistance through fluid
friction · air resistance · brakes · retrorockets · reverse thrust