04. Why do we have to use the same two liquid fuels to launch a rocket? Why not other fuels? (A K2S Question)

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First, let's define some terms as they are used in the aerospace community. A rocket is propelled by propellants. Propellants are usually made up of two materials—a fuel and an oxidizer, termed bi-propellants. Various types of fuels and oxidizers may be used. For example, the Shuttle orbiter main engines run on hydrogen (the fuel) and oxygen (the oxidizer). The orbital maneuvering system rockets and the reaction control system rockets (used for attitude control) use monomethyl hydrazine (the fuel) and nitrogen tetroxide (the oxidizer). The German V-2 rocket used alcohol and oxygen. The Atlas rocket used kerosene and oxygen. But of all these, hydrogen has the highest energy content per pound.

Answer provided by Jon H. Brown


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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