Internal Combustion Engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an ICE, the expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine. The ICE is widely used in various applications, including automobiles, aircraft, and spacecraft. ICEs are classified by the type of fuel they use, the method of fuel injection, and the ignition system. ICEs have been used in spacecraft for auxiliary power units, and in some cases, as the main propulsion system. However, the use of ICEs in spacecraft is limited due to their low specific impulse and the need for oxidizer storage.
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