The highest specific impulse chemical rockets use liquid propellants (liquid-propellant rockets). They can consist of a single chemical (a monopropellant) or a mix of two chemicals, called bipropellants. Bipropellants can further be divided into two categories; hypergolic propellants, which ignite when the fuel and oxidizer make contact, and non-hypergolic propellants which require an ignition source.[1]
About 170 different propellants made of liquid fuel have been tested, excluding minor changes to a specific propellant such as propellant additives, corrosion inhibitors, or stabilizers. In the U.S. alone at least 25 different propellant combinations have been flown.[2]
Many factors go into choosing a propellant for a liquid-propellant rocket engine. The primary factors include ease of operation, cost, hazards/environment and performance.[citation needed]
^Larson, W.J.; Wertz, J.R. (1992). Space Mission Analysis and Design. Boston: Kluver Academic Publishers.
^Sutton, G. P. (2003). "History of liquid propellant rocket engines in the united states". Journal of Propulsion and Power. 19 (6): 978–1007. doi:10.2514/2.6942.
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