ROCKET PROPULSION

 ROCKET PROPULSION

The thrust required for the propulsion of rocket is produced by the high velocity of gases leaving from the nozzle which is similar to Jet propulsion. In Jet Propulsion, the oxygen required for combustion is taken from the atmosphere. But in the case of rocket propulsion, since the altitude of rocket engine is very high, enough oxygen is not available in the atmosphere. So the oxygen is filled in a tank in the rocket engine itself and used for combustion purposes.

CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKET ENGINES

Rocket engines are classified as follows:

Method of Propulsion

1. Chemical rocket engines

2. Nuclear rocket engines

3. Electrical rocket engines

4. Solar rocket engines

Chemical rocket engines can be classified as:
1. Liquid propellant rocket engine
2. Solid propellant rocket engine
3. Hybrid propellant rocket engine

Nuclear rocket engines can be classified as:

1. Fusion rocket engine
2. Fission rocket engine

Solar rocket engines can be classified as:

1. Solar sail rocket

2. Solar-heated rocket

Rocket engines can be further classified as follows:

Based on types of Missiles
1. Cruise missile
2. Ballistic missile

Based on Launch Mode :

1. Surface-to-surface missile (SSM)
2. Surface-to-air missile (SAM)
3. Air-to-surface missile (ASM)
4. Air-to-air missile (AAM)
5. Anti-tank missile (ATM)

Based on Application :
1. Space rockets
2. Military rockets
3. Weather forecasting rockets
4. Booster rockets

Based on Number of Stages:
1. Single stage rockets
2. Multistage rockets

Based on Size and Range:

1. Battlefield short range (up to 150 km)
2. Short-range missile (150–799 km)
3. Medium-range missile (800–2399 km)
4. Intermediate-range ballistic missile (2400–5499 km)
5. Intercontinental ballistic missile (over 5500 km)