// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Propellant
Propellant is the general term for the fuel and oxidizer combination used to power a rocket engine, which, when burned, produces hot gas for thrust.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Propellant refers to the mass expelled by a propulsion system to generate thrust, encompassing both fuel and oxidizer (for chemical rockets) or reaction mass (for electric propulsion), stored onboard and consumed during operation.
BACKGROUND
An orbital propellant depot is a cache of propellant that is placed in orbit around Earth or another body to allow spacecraft or the transfer stage of the spacecraft to be fueled in space. It is one of the types of space resource depots that have been proposed for enabling infrastructure-based space exploration. Many depot concepts exist depending on the type of fuel to be supplied, location, or type of depot which may also include a propellant tanker that delivers a single load to a spacecraft at a specified orbital location and then departs. In-space fuel depots are not necessarily located near or at a space station.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- rocket fuel
- rocket propellants
- thrust mass
- reaction mass
USAGE NOTE
The choice of propellant significantly impacts a rocket's performance, cost, and safety.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Propellant.
A major American manufacturer of rocket, hypersonic, and electric propulsive systems for space, defense, and civil applications. They develop both liquid-propellant engines, such as the RS-25, and solid-propellant rocket motors.
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. A key area of their development is in propellant technology, notably pioneering the use of liquid methane and liquid oxygen (methalox) for their reusable Raptor engines.
A leading aerospace and defense company, and a major producer of solid rocket propulsion systems. They manufacture large solid rocket boosters, such as those for NASA's Space Launch System, which are essentially large, pre-packaged units of solid propellant.
An aerospace manufacturer developing rockets and engines. They are advancing propellant technology with their BE-4 engine, which uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen, a combination chosen for its performance, low cost, and reusability.
Specializes in in-space propulsion systems for small satellites. They are known for developing systems that utilize non-toxic, 'green' propellants like high-test peroxide (HTP) as a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional hydrazine.
A pure-play rocket propulsion company that designs and builds liquid rocket engines for the satellite launch and hypersonic industries. They develop engines that utilize various propellants, including kerosene (RP-1) and are developing methalox engines.
Developing the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR), an advanced form of electric propulsion. The technology uses inert gases like argon as propellant, which is ionized into a plasma and accelerated for thrust.
A company creating next-generation plasma propulsion systems for satellites. They have developed a radio-frequency thruster that can use noble gases like xenon or krypton as propellant, as well as enabling future use of water or air for in-situ resource utilization.