Heat Engine
A heat engine is a device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work, typically by using the temperature difference between a hot reservoir and a cold reservoir. In the context of space and astronautical engineering, heat engines are commonly used in spacecraft to generate electricity. This is typically done by using a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which uses the heat generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes to produce electricity. Heat engines are also used in rocket engines, where the combustion of fuel generates high temperatures and pressures that are used to produce thrust. The efficiency of a heat engine is determined by its thermal efficiency, which is the ratio of the work output to the heat input. In space and astronautical engineering, the design and optimization of heat engines is critical to the success of many missions.
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