Vernor Engine

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Vernor Engine
Part image
by
Reaction Systems Ltd

Radial size Radial mounted
Cost (total) 150.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.08 t [N 1]
Drag 0.01 [N 1]
Max. Temp. 2000 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 15 m/s
Research Tech tree large control.png Specialized Control
Unlock cost 1 800 Funds
Since version 0.24
Part configuration vernorEngine.cfg
Maximum thrust (1 atm) 6.46 kN
(vacuum) 12.00 kN
Isp (1 atm) 140 s
(vacuum) 260 s
Fuel consumption 0.94 Units of fuel/s


Thrust vectoring No
Thrust vectors 1 (zenith)

  1. 1.0 1.1 The mass and drag are from the part config, but the game handles it as physicsless.

The Vernor Engine (officially known as the VR-N1ER Veer-Governor in the product description) is a RCS thruster used for craft rotation and translation. Unlike other RCS thrusters, it is fueled by liquid fuel and oxidizer.

Although it uses rocket fuel, it is not a reaction engine.

Product description

The VR-N1ER Veer-Governor, or "Vernor" Engine is an attitude control thruster. These motors are linked to RCS controls, but are powered by a Fuel+Oxidizer mix, making them significantly more powerful than MonoPropellant-powered RCS thrusters. They are fairly more bulky in comparison though, and feature only one nozzle facing outwards, although most agree that is an acceptable trade-off for the additional punch they pack.

Reaction Systems Ltd

Usage

Compared to the other two RCS engines previously available, this new engine has a higher specific impulse in atmosphere which makes them suitable to steer heavy craft while ascending. The thrust is also 12 times higher than one RCS port which allows only a few thrusters to stabilize the craft. Because it uses liquid fuel and oxidizer the same fuel flow logic applies. Thus the part needs to be connected to a tank either directly or by a fuel transferring part.

Although it uses a different fuel, the Vernor Engine acts identically to monopropellant-based RCS ports, like the Place-Anywhere 7 Linear RCS Port.

Despite the listed mass, the part has the "PhysicsSignificance = 1" flag, making it a physicsless part; its mass and drag are added to the part it is mounted on.

Trivia

  • The name seems to be a play on Vernier thruster which are used in real life like this part to control the craft.
  • The vernor engine generates 12 Kn of thrust, which can be considered an intermidiate between the Spider and the Twitch, however, the Twitch has a TWR of 2, while the Vector's TWR is at 1.1, but, considering its ability to translate and backfire, it can be useful for small probes that have to maneuver accurately (i.e to grab onto an Asteroid)

Changes

1.7
  • New model and texture
  • entryCost decreased from 4200 to 1800
  • Cost decreased cost from 1400 to 150
  • Tolerance decreased cost from 50 to 15
0.24
  • Initial release

References