Pressure-fed cycle (rocket)
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The pressure-fed cycle is a type of rocket engine power cycle. Propellant tanks are pressurized with a separate gas supply to force the fuel and oxidizer to the combustion chamber.
The advantage of this design is the elimination of complicated turbines, pumps and plumbing. The disadvantage is a lower chamber pressure and lower engine efficiency. The pressure is limited by the design and weight of the propellant tanks. Pressure-fed engines are the simplest and least expensive cryogenic design.
This is the standard cycle used in the engines of U.S. space capsules, such as the Apollo Service Module Engine, the Lunar Module Descent Engine, and Ascent Engine, besides the smaller thrusters of attitude control systems. The Kestrel rocket engine is an example of a pressure-fed engine.
