Air breathing propulsion systems use atmospheric oxygen as oxidizer to burn fuel
Q. Air Breathing Propulsion- Published on 30 Aug 16a. Use atmospheric oxygen as fuel
b. Use atmospheric oxygen as oxidiser
c. Use atmospheric oxygen as fuel with hydrogen as oxidizer
d. Use atmospheric oxygen as oxidiser as well as fuel
ANSWER: Use atmospheric oxygen as oxidiser
- Launch vehicles use combustion of propellants consisting of oxidiser and fuel for deriving the energy.
- Air breathing propulsion systems use atmospheric oxygen, which is available up to about 50 km of earth’s surface to burn the fuel stored on-board thereby making the system much lighter, more efficient and cost effective.
- Air breathing propulsion is a solution for a powered long return cruise flight necessary for reusable launch vehicles.
- The collection and use of air involves challenges as the launch vehicle speeds through atmosphere at supersonic speeds.
- This calls for the development of ramjet or scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) technologies.
