Propellant utilization

Propellant utilization refers to the efficiency with which a spacecraft's fuel and oxidizer are used during a mission. It measures how completely the propellants are consumed to produce thrust. Higher utilization means more of the propellant is effectively converted into movement, minimizing waste and maximizing mission duration or payload capacity. Monitoring utilization helps engineers optimize engine performance, reduce costs, and ensure the spacecraft can meet its objectives with available resources. Essentially, it’s a way to gauge how efficiently the vehicle is using its fuel to achieve its spaceflight goals.