Spacecraft Fuel


Spacecraft fuel refers to the propellant used to power the engines of a spacecraft. The type of fuel used depends on the mission and the type of engine being used. Chemical fuels, such as liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, are commonly used for rocket engines. Electric propulsion systems, such as ion thrusters, use electricity to accelerate propellant, which is typically a noble gas like xenon. The amount of fuel required for a mission is determined by the spacecraft's mass, the distance it needs to travel, and the desired velocity. Fuel efficiency is a critical factor in spacecraft design, as the more fuel a spacecraft carries, the heavier it is and the more expensive the mission becomes.


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