// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM

Nozzle

A nozzle is a shaped tube at the back of a rocket engine that accelerates the hot gases produced by combustion, turning them into a high-speed jet to create thrust.

Nozzle — illustration from Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

A rocket nozzle is a carefully contoured duct that converts the high-pressure, high-temperature combustion gases from the thrust chamber into a high-velocity exhaust jet through adiabatic expansion, generating propulsive thrust.

BACKGROUND

Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited is an Indian private aerospace manufacturer and commercial launch service provider headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. The company was founded by two former ISRO scientists, Pawan Kumar Chandana, and Naga Bharath Daka.

READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIA

SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • exhaust nozzle
  • rocket nozzle
  • thrust nozzle
  • bell

USAGE NOTE

The design of the nozzle is critical for optimizing a rocket engine's efficiency in different atmospheric pressures.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Nozzle.

  • SpaceX

    Develops and manufactures advanced rocket engine nozzles for its Merlin and Raptor engines, used in Falcon and Starship launch vehicles.

  • Blue Origin

    Designs and manufactures high-performance rocket engine nozzles for its BE-3 and BE-4 engines, central to its New Glenn and New Shepard vehicles.

  • Aerojet Rocketdyne

    A leading provider of propulsion systems, including innovative nozzle designs for liquid and solid rocket motors across various space and defense applications.

  • ArianeGroup

    Develops and produces propulsion systems, including advanced nozzle technologies for the Vulcain and Vinci engines used in Ariane family launch vehicles.

  • Rocket Lab

    Innovates in rocket engine design, including combustion chambers and nozzles for its Rutherford and Archimedes engines, utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques.

  • Relativity Space

    Specializes in 3D printing entire rockets, including the design and production of its Aeon engine nozzles, enabling rapid iteration and novel geometries.

  • Northrop Grumman

    Manufactures a wide array of rocket propulsion systems, encompassing solid rocket motor nozzles and liquid engine nozzle components for various space missions.

  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)

    A key developer of space launch vehicles and propulsion systems in Japan, including the design and manufacturing of rocket engine nozzles for its H-series rockets.

  • Safran S. A.

    Through its various divisions and joint ventures (like ArianeGroup), Safran is a major contributor to aerospace propulsion, including the development of high-performance rocket engine nozzles.

  • Isar Aerospace

    Developing a new generation of launch vehicles, requiring cutting-edge engine design and nozzle technology for efficient and cost-effective access to space.

RELATED TERMS IN ENGINEERING