// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Throttle
A mechanism or control that adjusts the amount of fuel or propellant flowing into an engine, thereby controlling its power or thrust. It allows for varying the speed or altitude of an aircraft or rocket.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A control input or mechanism that modulates the propellant flow rate to a rocket or jet engine, directly regulating the engine's thrust output and power level, enabling variable flight profiles.
BACKGROUND
The RS-25, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), is a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine that was used on NASA's Space Shuttle and is used on the Space Launch System.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Power control
- thrust control
- accelerator
- fuel valve
USAGE NOTE
Pilots use the throttle to increase or decrease the aircraft's speed and altitude.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Throttle.
Develops the Merlin and Raptor rocket engines, both of which feature deep throttling capabilities essential for the vertical landing and reuse of their Falcon 9 and Starship vehicles.
Designs and manufactures the BE-3 and BE-4 liquid-fueled rocket engines. Throttling is a core technology enabling the vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) of its New Shepard and planned New Glenn launch systems.
A subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies, this company has a long history of developing throttleable engines, including the RS-25 for the Space Shuttle and NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), which can throttle between 67% and 109% of its rated power.
Develops the 3D-printed Aeon engine family. The Aeon R engine is specifically designed with deep throttling capabilities to support the propulsive landing and full reusability of its Terran R launch vehicle.
A dedicated rocket propulsion company that develops and sells engines like Hadley and Ripley. They focus on providing high-performance, throttleable engines to various commercial and government customers, enabling advanced mission profiles and vehicle reusability.
As NASA's primary center for rocket propulsion research and development, MSFC has been instrumental in advancing throttleable engine technology, from the Saturn V's F-1 engines to the modern RS-25 engines used on the SLS.
Developing a fully reusable upper stage that uses a novel integrated propulsion system. This design relies on the precise and rapid throttling of numerous individual thrusters arranged in a ring to control the vehicle's descent and landing.
Developing the Archimedes engine for its reusable Neutron rocket. Deep throttling is a critical feature of this engine to enable the 'return to launch site' propulsive landing of the Neutron's first stage.