Pressure-fed cycle (rocket)

Additional recommended knowledge

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Daily Visual Balance Check

The pressure-fed cycle is a type of rocket engine power cycle. Propellant tanks are pressurized with a separate gas supply to force the fuel and oxidizer to the combustion chamber.

The advantage of this design is the elimination of complicated turbines, pumps and plumbing. The disadvantage is a lower chamber pressure and lower engine efficiency. The pressure is limited by the design and weight of the propellant tanks. Pressure-fed engines are the simplest and least expensive cryogenic design.

The Kestrel rocket engine is an example of a pressure-fed engine.

See also

• Gas-generator cycle
• Expander cycle
• Staged combustion cycle