ABSTRACT
This introduction chapter gives an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is devoted to the rocket engine, particularly one that uses chemical fuel and an oxidizer. It concerns chemical propulsive devices in which chemical energy resulting from the breaking or forming of chemical bonds is used to impart the requisite force for propulsion to take place. Other forms of energy—electrical, nuclear, plasma, and so on—have been used to propel rocket engines are presented. The rocket engine can be broadly classified into two categories: chemical rockets and nonchemical rockets. Space launch vehicles are meant for launching satellites or certain payloads into space or into spacecraft. A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed and developed to travel in space. A missile is a self-propelled guided weapon system that is propelled by a rocket engine.
