hypergolic

[ hahy-per-gaw-lik, -gol-ik ]

adjective

1. (especially of rocket-fuel propellant constituents) igniting spontaneously upon contact with a complementary substance.

hypergolic

/ ˌhaɪpəˈɡɒlɪk /

adjective

1. (of a rocket fuel) able to ignite spontaneously on contact with an oxidizer

hypergolic

/ hī′pər-gŏl′ĭk /

1. Relating to or using a rocket propellant consisting of liquid fuel and an oxidizer that ignite spontaneously on contact.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypergolic¹

First recorded in 1945–50; hyp(er)- + erg(o)- ¹ + -ol ² + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypergolic¹

C20: from German Hypergol (perhaps from hyp ( er- ) + erg ¹+ -ol ²) + -ic

Example Sentences

Both are highly toxic as well as "hypergolic," which means they react violently when in contact with each other.

From Reuters

Mission controllers detected higher-than-appropriate amounts of “hypergolic fumes,” or fumes that could explode when coming in contact with one another.

From Washington Post

Mission controllers detected higher-than-appropriate amounts of “hypergolic fumes,” or fumes that could explode when coming in contact with one another.

From Washington Post

But hypergolic fuels must be handled carefully, Westmoreland said.

From Los Angeles Times

The very purpose of the SuperDraco engines — almost instantly spiriting away astronauts from the rocket during an emergency — explains the decision to use those so-called hypergolic propellants, said David Barnhart, director of USC’s space engineering research center.

From Los Angeles Times