// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Chemical Propulsion
Chemical propulsion is a method of propelling rockets or spacecraft by burning chemical propellants to create hot gases that are expelled.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Chemical propulsion is a method of generating thrust by expelling high-velocity exhaust gases produced from the exothermic chemical reaction (combustion) of propellants, providing the primary means of launch, orbital insertion, and significant maneuvering for most spacecraft and launch vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Northrop Grumman Corporation, headquartered in West Falls Church, Virginia, is an American aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures systems for aeronautics, defense, missions, and space. The company is the 5th largest contractor of the U.S. federal government; it receives over 2% of total spending by the federal government of the United States on contractors.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Rocket propulsion
- Chemical rockets
- Combustion propulsion
USAGE NOTE
Most launch vehicles rely on chemical propulsion to escape Earth's gravity.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Chemical Propulsion.
A leading developer and manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems for space, defense, and commercial applications, including a wide range of liquid and solid chemical rocket engines and thrusters.
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, utilizing its Merlin and Raptor chemical rocket engines for its Falcon series and Starship launch vehicles, respectively.
Developing a variety of chemical propulsion engines, including the BE-3 for its New Shepard suborbital vehicle and the powerful BE-4 (LOX/Methane) engine for its New Glenn orbital rocket and ULA's Vulcan Centaur.
A joint venture between Airbus and Safran, responsible for the design, development, and production of Europe's Ariane launch vehicles, including the Vulcain, Vinci, and P120C chemical propulsion engines.
Conducts extensive research, development, and testing of chemical propulsion technologies for current and future space missions, including the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage engines (RS-25) and Orion spacecraft propulsion.
A major provider of chemical propulsion systems, including solid rocket motors for launch vehicles like Antares and OmegA (now cancelled, but technology applicable), and various in-space propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft.
Innovator in small launch vehicles, known for its Electron rocket powered by the 3D-printed Rutherford engine, which uses electric pumps for its liquid chemical propulsion system (kerosene/LOX).
Pioneering 3D printing for rocket manufacturing, developing the Aeon chemical rocket engine (LOX/Methane) for its Terran 1 and Terran R launch vehicles.