Rocket engines differ from jet engines in airplanes. Rockets use chemical, electric, or nuclear energy and operate by ejecting mass out the back, thus producing a change in the momentum and acceleration. Chemical rockets rely upon the chemical energy of the propellants to eject the mass. Electric rockets use a particle accelerator to eject ions at high velocities.



QUESTIONS - BACK
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Curator:
Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov