As the name suggests, a turbopump comprises basically two main components: a pump and a driving turbine, both mounted on the same shaft. A turbopump can refer to either of two types of pumps. Turbomolecular pumps are also called turbopumps and are used to obtain high vacuum. Another type of turbopump is a centrifugal or axial pump. Early development Turbopumps were originally developed for fire fighting for pumping water at high rates and pressures. The initial breakthrough for turbopumps u… (More on Turbopump)