ScienceJuly 14, 2026
propellant
/prəˈpɛlənt/
Definition
A chemical substance or mixture used to produce the thrust necessary to propel a spacecraft or rocket engine.
Etymology
The word originates from the Latin 'propellere,' meaning 'to push forward.' It entered English in the 17th century, combining the prefix 'pro-' (forward) with 'pellere' (to drive).
In the news
In this article, scientists are comparing different types of propellants to understand how their exhaust affects lunar dust during landings. Studying these differences helps improve models that predict debris movement as more spacecraft visit the Moon.
NASA selects four new Moon missions to build a permanent lunar base
Read the full article ↗ScienceDaily