Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Rocket propulsion refers to the action or process by which rockets are propelled forward through the expulsion of high-speed exhaust gases from their engines.
Related terms
Thrust: The force produced by a rocket engine that propels it forward.
Specific Impulse: A measure of how efficiently a rocket engine uses its propellant. It indicates how much thrust can be generated per unit mass flow rate.