Propellants

Question 1

What is the difference between a liquid bipropellant and a liquid monopropellant?

Answer 1

in a bipropellant, one is used as a fuel and the other as an oxidiser to increase the intensity of ignition

Question 2

What are the advantages of using liquid propellants rather than solid propellants?

Answer 2

• They give a higher specific impulse (350s +) than solid propellants
• easier to control the flow of propellants allowing for better thrust control

Question 3

What does it mean to have a hypergolic liquid bipropellant?

Answer 3

When the two liquids meet, they self-ignite if they are are hypergolic which has the advantage of not requiring an ignition source

This can be the source of disaster if the two vessels containing the liquids are no correctly isolated and controlled

Question 4

Which propellant is hypergolic?

Answer 4

Hydrazine, N2H4

Question 5

What are the advantages of solid rocket propellant

Answer 5

Simpler to work with

more stable and reliable

Safer than liquid, engines are less complicated