specific impulse
noun
: the thrust produced per unit rate of consumption of the propellant that is usually expressed in pounds of thrust per pound of propellant used per second and that is a measure of the efficiency of a rocket engine
Examples of specific impulse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ideally, the engine should be able to produce high specific impulse while also satisfying the high thrust and low engine mass requirements.
—
Dan Kotlyar, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2024
Chemical rockets in the 1960s had a specific impulse anywhere between 300 to 450 seconds.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
Thrust is measured in specific impulse.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
There were problems developing the science payload and the R-7 was proving to be less powerful with a lower specific impulse than anticipated.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2017
The higher the seconds of specific impulse the more economic and efficient the rocket.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
Dividing the impulse by the weight of the rocket gives the specific impulse.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 25 Feb. 2022
Meanwhile, the Air Force will get data on measurements of specific impulse, or ISP, combustion stability, vibration and shock profiles, and range of inlet pressures and temperatures.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 Sep. 2022
One way to describe the performance of a rocket is with the specific impulse.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 25 Feb. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Kotlyar, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2024
Chemical rockets in the 1960s had a specific impulse anywhere between 300 to 450 seconds.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
Thrust is measured in specific impulse.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
There were problems developing the science payload and the R-7 was proving to be less powerful with a lower specific impulse than anticipated.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2017
The higher the seconds of specific impulse the more economic and efficient the rocket.
—Amy Shira Teitel, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2019
Dividing the impulse by the weight of the rocket gives the specific impulse.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 25 Feb. 2022
Meanwhile, the Air Force will get data on measurements of specific impulse, or ISP, combustion stability, vibration and shock profiles, and range of inlet pressures and temperatures.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 Sep. 2022
One way to describe the performance of a rocket is with the specific impulse.
—Rhett Allain, Wired, 25 Feb. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near specific impulse
Cite this Entry
“Specific impulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specific%20impulse. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share