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aquitaine
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What do you guys think about hybrid rocket engines compared with other the other kinds? What are the advantages of using one as opposed to a pure solid or liquid rocket?
Hybrids don't necessarily have the greatest specific energy.aquitaine said:So it is to get the most energy per mass out of it and reduce costs? If so why aren't hybrids used more today?
A hybrid rocket is a type of rocket that uses a combination of solid fuel and liquid or gaseous oxidizer. This allows for greater control and safety compared to traditional solid or liquid rockets.
Hybrid rockets work by igniting a solid fuel, such as paraffin or rubber, with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer, such as nitrous oxide. The oxidizer is pumped into the combustion chamber and mixed with the solid fuel, creating thrust. The flow of oxidizer can be controlled to adjust the thrust of the rocket.
Some advantages of hybrid rockets include greater safety, as the oxidizer and fuel components are stored separately and only mixed during ignition. They also have better controllability and can be shut down and restarted easily. Additionally, hybrid rockets produce less harmful byproducts compared to traditional rockets.
One limitation of hybrid rockets is their lower specific impulse (efficiency) compared to liquid rockets. They also have a more complex design and require more development and testing. Additionally, hybrid rockets are not currently as widely used as solid or liquid rockets, so there may be fewer resources and expertise available.
There is ongoing research in developing hybrid rockets for use in space missions, as well as for use in small satellite launches. Hybrid rockets are also being explored for use in air-breathing combined cycle engines for hypersonic flight. Additionally, there is interest in using hybrid rockets for space tourism and suborbital flights.