Propellant - Propellant Used For Propulsion - Liquid Propellant

Liquid Propellant

Common propellant combinations used for liquid propellant rockets include:

• Red fuming nitric acid (RFNA) and kerosene or RP-1
• RFNA and Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH)
• Dinitrogen tetroxide and UDMH, MMH, and/or hydrazine
• Liquid oxygen and kerosene or RP-1
• Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
• Liquid oxygen and ethanol
• Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol or RP-1
• Chlorine pentafluoride and hydrazine

Common monopropellant used for liquid rocket engines include:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Hydrazine
• Red fuming nitric acid (RFNA)

In rockets, three main liquid bi propellant combinations are used

• cryogenic hydrogen oxygen combination system - Used in upper stages and sometimes in booster stages of space launch systems.This is a nontoxic combination. This gives high specific impulse and is ideal for high velocity missions
• liquid oxygen hydrocarbon propellant system - Used for booster stages of space launch vehicles. It has high density and hence allows for a more compact booster design
• storable propellant combinations - used in large rocket engines for first and second stages of ballistic missiles and in almost all bi propellant low-thrust, auxiliary or reaction control rocket engines. They are instant starting and suitable for long-term storage