Hydrazine Powers Reaction Control Thrusters on NASA’s Orion Spacecraft

DLA Energy provided the Orion capsule with 438 pounds of hydrazine, 6,245 pounds of Monomethyl Hydrazine, and 10,670 pounds of Nitrogen Tetroxide Mon-3 grade propellants for its voyage.

Hydrazine powers the 12 reaction control thrusters on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. These thrusters are critical during re-entry to Earth as they help maintain proper orientation of the Orion crew module. Hydrazine is a hypergolic propellant which means it spontaneously ignites upon contact with an oxidizer, providing immediate thrust which is vital for the quick responses required in space missions.

Read Article at: U.S. Department of Defense