Some vehicles, such as space planes, may be fitted with both air-breathing and rocket engines for efficient operation both within and beyond the atmosphere.
The maximum velocity of air-breathing engines is limited to 1–3 km/s due to extreme temperature and dissociation of the exhaust gas; however, the maximum velocity of a hydrogen-breathing engine of the same design is about 4 times higher.
Related categories• ADVANCED PROPULSION CONCEPTS
• AERODYNAMICS AND AERONAUTICS
• ROCKET ENGINE TYPES
Home • About • Copyright © The Worlds of David Darling • Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy • Contact