// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Hypergolic Propellant
Hypergolic propellants are a type of rocket fuel and oxidizer combination that spontaneously ignite upon contact with each other, without the need for an external ignition source. This makes them highly reliable for starting and restarting rocket engines.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Hypergolic propellants refer to a class of bipropellant chemical propulsion systems where the fuel and oxidizer spontaneously undergo an exothermic chemical reaction upon direct contact, thereby initiating combustion without an external igniter, crucial for reliable ignition and reignition in aerospace rocket engines and thrusters, particularly for orbital maneuvers.
BACKGROUND
A hypergolic propellant is a rocket propellant whose components spontaneously ignite upon contact with one another. In contemporary usage, the term typically refers to the combination of dinitrogen tetroxide and one of the various forms of hydrazine.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Self-igniting propellants
- Spontaneous ignition propellants
- Hypergolics
- Contact-igniting fuels
USAGE NOTE
They are frequently employed in spacecraft maneuvering thrusters, attitude control systems, and upper stages due to their reliable ignition and often storable nature, despite typically being highly toxic.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Hypergolic Propellant.
A leading provider of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft, extensively developing and manufacturing hypergolic engines and thrusters for various applications including attitude control, orbital maneuvering, and primary propulsion.
Develops and produces propulsion systems, including hypergolic thrusters and integrated propulsion modules, for satellites, missiles, and other spacecraft.
Utilizes and develops hypergolic propellants for its Draco and SuperDraco thrusters used on the Dragon spacecraft for orbital maneuvering and crew abort systems.
A joint venture between Airbus and Safran, involved in European space propulsion, including the development and production of hypergolic engines for launch vehicle stages and spacecraft.
Develops and employs hypergolic propellants and engines for its launch vehicle upper stages, liquid propulsion stages, and satellite propulsion systems.
Conducts research and develops hypergolic propulsion systems for its various spacecraft, including orbital transfer vehicles and scientific probes.
The primary contractor for the Chinese space program, extensively develops and utilizes hypergolic propellants (e.g., UDMH/NTO) for its Long March rockets and spacecraft engines.
Funds and conducts research into advanced hypergolic propulsion systems, materials, and related technologies for future deep space missions and other spacecraft applications.