Multiple choice

Propellant used in space shuttle is

  1. liquid oxygen

  2. liquid hydrogen

  3. hydrazine/N2O4

  4. mixture of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) used liquid hydrogen (LH2) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer in a staged combustion cycle. This combination produces a very high specific impulse and was essential for achieving orbit. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are each components of the propellant system, but the complete answer is the mixture of both.

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