Difference between revisions of "Conventional rockets"
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Latest revision as of 03:02, 21 January 2009
A conventional rocket is a thermal rocket that caries both an oxidizer and a reducer. The reducer is not too exotic (not many unstable bonds). There are three basic varieties. Solid rockets (see the stick), liquid rockets and hybrid rockets.
In a solid rocket the oxidizer and reducer are mixed in a hardened powder. Channels are cut in the oxidizer to control the thrust profile. Solid rockets typically have large thrusts but lower specific impulses. There also can't be used for rocket control as the rate of burn can't be controlled.
Hybrid rockets are similar to solid rockets except the oxidizer is separate from the solid powder which is the reducer. The oxidizer is pumped through the reaction chamber where the solid rocket lies to control the thrust. Historically they weren't used for performance reasons but new types of hybrid rockets are being developed whose performance exceeds the solid rocket boosters of the shuttle. However, because of structural concerns there is questions as to whether these hybrid rockets can be scaled up to the necessary sizes.
The other type of rockets are liquid fuel rockets. (these rockets typically use as a fuel, hydrogen, methane, kerosene or laughing gas (see SpaceShip One). These rockets off the best control over thrust. Hydrogen rockets have the best specific impulse while kerosene rockets can produce large enough thrust to be used as boosters (see Zenit).
