| THRUST EQUATION | ||
While those equations help define momentum thrust, remember that the other contributor to rocket engine thrust is pressure thrust. Pressure thrust is the difference between the nozzle exit pressure and the ambient (atmospheric) pressure, multiplied by the area of the nozzle exit. The value of this term varies greatly during a rocket's flight. On the launch pad and at low altitudes, pressure thrust is very small. As altitude increases, pressure thrust increases until it reaches its maximum in space where ambient pressure is zero. Mouse over the equation (right) to view relationships. |
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