A propellent , in the field of the Astronautics, is a homogeneous substance employed only or in partnership with other substances and intended to provide energy. The propellents are the products initial, separate, used in a propelling system with reaction. They consist of elements Oxydant and Réducteur /combustible.

The corresponding terms in English are propellent , and fuel .

The term of residual propellents is employed to indicate unburnt propellents.

One assimilates sometimes propellent components and Propergol S.

Classification of propellents

The propellents are classified according to:

• them state: solid, Liquid, gas (ever used) or hybrids (liquid-solid),
• the number of the components: Monopropellant, bipropellant (or biergol), triergol,
• them Temperature of conditioning: cryotechnic, stoquables, high temperature (rarer).

Required properties of propellents

The required properties of propellents are:

• a high Density to reduce the volume of the tanks,
• a possible Boiling point highest,
• a energy of combustion (or decomposition) high,
• of the stable products of combustion (weak dissociation),
• of the products of combustion to weak molar Mass.

Principal liquid propellents

List principal liquid propellents:

• Reducing
• Dihydrogène (LH2);
• Hydrazine;
• Monométhyl-hydrazine (MMH);
• asymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH);
• Kerosene;
• ethanol;
• ethyl ether;
• Spirits of turpentine.

• Oxidizing

• Dioxygène (LOX);
• Peroxide of nitrogen;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• Acid nitric;
• Perchloric acid;
• Tetrafluorohydrazine ;
• Fluorine;
• Fluoride of oxygen.

Principal solid propellents

List principal solid propellents:

• Perchlorate of ammonium.

Reference

Right French: decree of February 20th, 1995 relating to the terminology of sciences and space technology.

See too

• space Propulsion
• List of the articles relating to astronautics