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There are two types of rockets -- those that use liquid fuel and those that use solid fuel.
Liquid fuel rockets have two main advantages. Liquid fuel rocket engines burning can be controlled. That is, they can be turned on and off, and their thrust (pushing force) can be controlled/varied. Second, they produce more thrust for the same amount (weight) of fuel -- called specific impulse.
Liquid fuel is also cheaper, but that's rarely a consideration as it is such a small part of the cost.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoLiquid fueled rocket engines have the ability to stop the engine burn process after ignition, usually by cutting off the fuel flow to the engine. Typical liquid fuel engines are fueled by liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, or as in the case of the Shuttle's Main Engine and External Tank, a combination of those two.
Solid fuel (propellant) rocket engines, once ignited, cannot be shut down - the only way to stop them is to destroy them, but even that will not keep the solid fuel from ceasing to burn. Once solid rocket fuel is ignited, it will burn until it is completely expended.
The reason for this is that solid rocket fuel creates its own oxygen supply, by means of an ingredient called an oxydizer. For sustained combustion, any fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel, the removal of any one of those will halt the combustion process. In solid propellants, the oxydizer is mixed in solid form with the fuel itself (so that it can burn in space where oxygen exists only in molecular form). Once ignited, it supplies itself with what it needs to sustain itself, making it nearly impossible to stop once started.
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What controls the thrust of a rocket?
Liquid rocket engines would act much like a car engine. More fuel, more thrust. Solid rocket engines are either on or off. No throttle control.
Why was the liquid rocket invented?
Because of the ability to control the ignition. With a liquid supply of fuel, it is possible to regulated the combustion of such in a rocket engine. Solid rocket engines cannot be turned of or regulated once ignited.
What is the difference between a space shuttle and a rocket?
Answer The Space Shuttle is a rocket. By definition, a Rocket is a vehicle that burns gas that it carries with it. Where as, a jet airplane burns the oxygen from the air and is not a rocket. The Rocket when it is launched has a liquid fuel rocket engines at the back end of it. It also has two long, solid fuel rocket engines that separate after launch. But the space shuttle is pulled by a rocket.
Which kind of rocket engines are used on the space shuttle and why?
Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) are Rocketdyne RS-24 liquid-fuel rocket engines powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The Solid Rocket Boosters used during ascent are solid fuel rockets manufactured by Thiokol Corporation fueled by a mixture of ammonium perchlorate oxidizer, aluminum, an iron oxide catalyst and polymers as a binding agent.
Who invented the first liquid- fuel rocket?
Dr. Robert H. Goddard a New England physics professor created the first liquid fuel rocket using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the same fuels used today to power the space shuttle main engines.
What are two main types of rocket engines?
The two main types of rocket engines are Solid fuel rocket engines and Liquid fuel rocket engines.
What are the disadvantages of liquid fuel rocket engines?
it bad
Which is a liquid fuel used in rocket engines?
AMMONIA
What are the advantages of liquid fuels?
Liquid-powered rocket engines have several advantages. Liquid rocket engines have higher specific impulses (Meaning they produce a high amount of thrust for a small amount of fuel) which makes them more efficient. Liquid-powered engines can be throttled in real-time, and have a good control of mixture ratio. They can be shut down and restarted at any time. Liquid rocket engines can be tested before use to ensure that they will operate properly. Liquid engines, such as the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs), can also be re-used. Because of these safety and performance advantages, liquid engines are commonly used for manned spaceflight. Rocketry pioneer Wernher von Braun even went as far as saying that liquid-fueled engines were the only engines safe to use on manned spacecraft.
What substance is found in liquid fuel used in rocket engines?
gasoline along with liquid oxygen, so the fuel can burn
What are the advanatges of soild fuel rocket engines?
Less complexity and cost compared to liquid fuel and it's complex, expensive engines
How many types of rockets are there?
There are two main types of rocket engines: Solid fuel and liquid fuel. Liquid fuel rocket engines are usually considered significantly better than solid propulsion units, however, they are also significantly more expensive.
Why are RS-24 liquid-fuel rocket engines used in space shuttles?
The space shuttle main engines (SSME) RS 24 engines use rocketdyne liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel in the engine that is designed in such a way that the engines are reusable.
Are the solid fuel rocket or the liquid fuel rocket faster?
liquid fuel
What controls the thrust of a rocket?
Liquid rocket engines would act much like a car engine. More fuel, more thrust. Solid rocket engines are either on or off. No throttle control.
Why was the liquid rocket invented?
Because of the ability to control the ignition. With a liquid supply of fuel, it is possible to regulated the combustion of such in a rocket engine. Solid rocket engines cannot be turned of or regulated once ignited.
What is the difference between a space shuttle and a rocket?
Answer The Space Shuttle is a rocket. By definition, a Rocket is a vehicle that burns gas that it carries with it. Where as, a jet airplane burns the oxygen from the air and is not a rocket. The Rocket when it is launched has a liquid fuel rocket engines at the back end of it. It also has two long, solid fuel rocket engines that separate after launch. But the space shuttle is pulled by a rocket.
