Rocket Thrust Calculator

Calculate the thrust of a rocket engine.

Engine Parameters

Momentum Term

Mass Flow Rate (ṁ) (kg/s)

Exhaust Velocity (v_e) (m/s)

Pressure Term (Optional)

Exhaust Pressure (p_e) (Pa)

Ambient Pressure (p_a) (Pa)

Nozzle Exit Area (A_e) (m²)

Thrust Calculation

Enter flow parameters

About this calculator

Quick Reference

ṁMass Flow Rate

vₑExhaust Velocity

pₑ - pₐPressure Difference

AₑExit Area

Overview

Rocket thrust is generated by the expulsion of mass at high velocity. It consists of momentum thrust and pressure thrust.

💡

Pro Tips

F = ṁ * v_e + (p_e - p_a) * A_e
In a vacuum (space), p_a = 0.
Pressure thrust can be negative if ambient pressure is higher than exhaust pressure (over-expanded nozzle).

Fun Facts

"The Saturn V F-1 engine produced 1.5 million pounds of thrust."
"Ion thrusters have very low thrust but very high exhaust velocity (efficiency)."

Formula: F = ṁvₑ + (pₑ - pₐ)Aₑ