https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Peterpan&feedformat=atomKerbal Space Program Wiki - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T13:57:48ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.29.0https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?title=LV-N_%22Nerv%22_Atomic_Rocket_Motor&diff=54228LV-N "Nerv" Atomic Rocket Motor2014-12-10T20:59:08Z<p>Peterpan: /* Usage */</p>
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<div>{{:LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor/Box}}<br />
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The '''LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor''' is a low-thrust, high-efficiency [[rocket engine]]. It is modeled after the real-world [[wikipedia:nuclear thermal rocket|nuclear thermal rocket]], which uses a fission reactor to heat its propellant and force it out of the rocket nozzle to generate thrust (as opposed to a normal rocket, which ignites the propellant and uses the energy released by the resulting chemical reaction for that purpose).<br />
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== Usage ==<br />
The LV-N has low thrust and a very high mass, giving it the worst [[thrust-to-weight ratio]] of all liquid engines. For this reason, it is a very poor choice for propulsion in skycranes, despite its high vacuum specific impulse. Its [[Isp|I<sub>sp</sub>]] while in atmosphere is also quite poor, making it not recommended for operation within atmospheres or for landings on larger bodies.<br />
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However, when outside the atmosphere, its efficiency becomes superb with a vacuum [[Specific impulse|I<sub>sp</sub>]] of 800 s, by far the highest of any [[liquid engine|liquid fuel engine]]. This remarkable efficiency makes it quite popular for upper stages as it is ideal for interplanetary travel.<br />
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It will [[overheating|overheat]] when run at full throttle, but it will usually stabilize before completely filling the overheat bar. As of version 0.23, it will quickly overheat and explode when placed directly under a [[Rockomax Jumbo-64 Fuel Tank]]. With a bit of experimentation on the launchpad, you can find the maximum thrust for your particular configuration. Since the thrust limiter tweakable limits thrust by controlling the fuel's flow rate, you can find the ideal thrust for your engines with a bit of on-the-fly tweaking, allowing you to throttle to 100% without having to worry about midflight explosions.<br />
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It is also quite long, being almost exactly the same length as a Mainsail engine. LV-N engines on a landing stage require some interesting structure designs to get the landing gear low enough to clear the bottom of the engine.<br />
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== Product description ==<br />
{{Quote<br />
|Despite the big scary trefoil painted onto the side of this engine, its radioactive exhaust, and tendency to overheat, the LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor is harmless. Mostly.<br />
}}<br />
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{{Quote|Yes, I know this is wrong. NTRs don't actually burn fuel and oxidizer, but we don't want to jump into making separate tanks for the two yet.|Excerpt from the part.cfg}}<br />
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== Trivia ==<br />
* The description of this part is a reference to the Douglas Adams humorous sci-fi novel "Mostly Harmless"<br />
* Unlike real-world nuclear thermal rockets, the LV-N consumes both [[liquid fuel]] and [[oxidizer]]. This due to programming constraints, as stated in its parts.cfg file, and [[Squad]]'s unwillingness to add another propellant type. Real NTRs run on liquid hydrogen, but are capable of using other propellants at lower efficiencies.<br />
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== Changes ==<br />
;{{Version|0.24|}}<br />
* Cost increased from 1700 to 8700 (and made meaningful)<br />
;{{Version|0.22|}}<br />
* Alternator added, engine now gains 5.0 electricity.<br />
;{{Version|0.17|}}<br />
* Initial release<br />
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{{Parts}}<br />
[[Category:Liquid fuel engines]]</div>Peterpan