propulsion articles
Do satellites require propulsion?
The necessity of propulsion for an orbiting object is not always intuitive; after all, once a satellite is launched, it ...
Why don't we use ion thrusters?
The idea of an ion thruster seems, on the surface, like a nearly perfect solution for space travel. These devices operat...
Why can't rockets be electric?
The fundamental challenge behind powering a rocket entirely with electricity for liftoff isn't a matter of impossibility...
Does rocket fuel burn clean?
The question of what rocket fuel "burns clean" isn't a simple yes or no; it’s a complex chemical accounting exercise pla...
Could nuclear power be used for space travel?
The idea of harnessing the massive energy density locked within the atom to propel spacecraft through the cosmos is not ...
How does the SpaceX rocket return to Earth?
The process by which a massive, first-stage rocket booster from a SpaceX launch vehicle returns to Earth is a marvel of ...
What is SpaceX's most powerful engine?
The most powerful engine propelling SpaceX's ambitions to Mars and beyond is undoubtedly the **Raptor** engine, a marvel...
What is the most powerful aerospace engine?
The simple question of what constitutes the "most powerful" aerospace engine quickly branches into a discussion of curre...
Do rockets use fuel in space?
The simple answer to whether rockets still need fuel once they are already in the vast emptiness of space is an emphatic...