// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Bipropellant Engine
A bipropellant engine is a rocket engine that uses two separate propellants, a fuel and an oxidizer, which are stored in different tanks. They are combined and ignited in a combustion chamber to produce thrust.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A bipropellant engine is a chemical propulsion system that generates thrust from the exothermic reaction of two separate propellants, a fuel (e.g., liquid hydrogen, RP-1) and an oxidizer (e.g., liquid oxygen, dinitrogen tetroxide), which are mixed in a combustion chamber. This design allows for higher specific impulse and greater thrust control compared to monopropellant or solid rocket motors, making it common for launch vehicle main stages and spacecraft maneuvering systems.
BACKGROUND
Spacecraft electric propulsion encompasses propulsion systems that use electric energy to accelerate and expel propellant, generating thrust through electric or magnetic fields. Their principal advantage over chemical rockets is much higher specific impulse, meaning greater propellant efficiency, but the limited electrical power available aboard spacecraft yields much lower thrust, making electric propulsion unsuitable for launch from Earth's surface and better suited to long-duration in-space maneuvers.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- biprop system
- fuel-oxidizer engine
- liquid rocket engine
- hypergolic engine
- cryogenic engine
- storable propellant engine
USAGE NOTE
Use this term to specify a two-component liquid or gas propulsion system, as distinct from single-propellant (monopropellant) or solid-fuel systems.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Bipropellant Engine.
A major American manufacturer of rocket propulsion systems. They develop and produce a wide range of liquid bipropellant engines, including the RS-25 for NASA's SLS and the RL10 upper-stage engine, which use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company develops the Merlin (kerosene/LOX) and Raptor (methane/LOX) families of bipropellant engines for its Falcon and Starship launch vehicles.
An aerospace manufacturer developing rockets and space technologies. Their key bipropellant engine developments include the BE-4 (methane/LOX) for Vulcan and New Glenn, and the BE-3 (hydrogen/LOX) for New Shepard.
A European aerospace company responsible for the Ariane launch vehicle family. They develop the Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci cryogenic bipropellant engines, which use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, for the Ariane 6 rocket.
An aerospace company known for its Electron small-satellite launch vehicle. They develop the Rutherford (kerosene/LOX) pump-fed bipropellant engine and are developing the larger Archimedes (methane/LOX) engine for their Neutron rocket.
An aerospace company utilizing 3D printing to manufacture rockets. They develop the Aeon 1 and Aeon R bipropellant engines, which are gas-generator cycle engines powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen.
A US-based company focused solely on developing and selling rocket propulsion systems. They produce several bipropellant engines, such as the Hadley (kerosene/LOX), designed for various launch and hypersonic applications.
Develops small and medium-lift launch vehicles. The company designs and builds its own bipropellant engines, including the Reaver engine for its Alpha rocket, which uses RP-1 and liquid oxygen.