|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | [[File:JetEngine.png|right|thumb|A jet engine from KSP 0.18]]
| |
| | | | |
| − | A '''jet engine''' is an air-breathing engine which uses onboard [[liquid fuel]] and combusts it with the [[oxygen]] drawn from the [[atmosphere]]. Due to the lower air pressure at higher altitudes its thrust output decreases accordingly.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Technically, any [[w:rocket engine|rocket engine]] is also a jet engine as it forms a high-speed jet of [[w:reaction mass|reaction mass]]. But for KSP players, the term is limited to engines dependent on [[intake air]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Usage ==
| |
| − | Unlike [[rocket engine]]s, a jet draws oxygen from the atmosphere rather than taking it from an on-board tank. This is represented in-game by a much lower rate of fuel consumption. Depending on the aircraft, jet engines can produce thrust at altitudes greater than 20 km. Unlike in earlier versions, each jet engine has its ceiling height, regardless of intake air provided. Jet engines do not perform in the same manner as rocket engines. Since Jet engines rely on a turbine to compress fuel and atmosphere together in order to produce thrust, it takes time to change speed. Also if the [[throttle]] or air flow are too low the engine will stall. By contrast, rocket engines give instant response to control input.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [[File:Jet engine flame out.png|thumb|The flame out effect on a [[Basic Jet Engine]]]]
| |
| − | As of {{Version|0.18}} jet engines require [[intake air]] to run, provided by [[air intake]]s. Jet engines don't consume [[oxidizer]], so the use of [[liquid fuel tank]]s is very wasteful because they come with an full oxidizer tank adding additional mass. When the intake air level isn't checked periodically a jet engine tends to flame out and suddenly doesn't generate any thrust. As this may happen unevenly it can cause severe spinning and potential loss of the craft.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | One large difference of the jet engines compared to conventional rocket engines is, that the thrust also greatly depends on the velocity relative to the atmosphere around. As of {{Version|1.0.5}}, the 6 jet engines can be divided into low-speed and high-speed engines, regarding their thrust-to-speed behaviour. The three low-speed engines do not gain thrust with speed, but rather loose about 20% around mach 0.5, gaining about full thrust again at around mach 1.5, dropping sharply to zero around mach 2. The three high-speed engines on the other hand gain a considerable ammount of thrust up to their design speed, gradually lowering to zero approaching its high top speed. The thrust gain, design speed and max speed increases with thech level, up to 850% gain at mach 3.7 on the [[R.A.P.I.E.R. Engine|R.A.P.I.E.R.]]. However, as more thrust most often leads to more velocity ( leading to more thrust ...) this behaviour should be considered at the more advanced engines, as it can easily lead to a [[Catastrophic failure|rapid unscheduled disassembly]].
| |
| − |
| |
| − | {{FlipBox|style=word-wrap: normal;margin: 0em 0em 0.5em; border-style: solid solid solid solid; padding: 0px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border-color:#aaaaaa; border-width:1px; width: 69em;
| |
| − | |title=the velocity and atmosphere curves of the jet engines
| |
| − | |content=
| |
| − | {{Stats table jet engines - curves}}
| |
| − | }}
| |
| − |
| |
| − | I<sub>sp</sub> of all jet engines is unaffected by speed and height, which is different from pre {{Version|1.0}} behaviour as well as from rocket engines. Thus, the fuel consumption varies according to thrust output.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Advantages ==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Provides excellent fuel efficiency within an atmosphere
| |
| − | * The high speed jet engines provide thrust vectoring for greater maneuverability
| |
| − | * Excellent power to weight/size ratio
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Disadvantages ==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Cannot be used outside of an atmosphere that contains oxygen. In current version, it means they only function on [[Kerbin]] and [[Laythe]].
| |
| − | * Thrust output changes depending on speed
| |
| − | * Engine requires time to spool up to maximum thrust potential
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Available jet engines ==
| |
| − | {{Stats Table Jet Engines}}
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == See also ==
| |
| − | * {{Wikipedia}}
| |
| − |
| |
| − | [[Category:Parts]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Jet engines| ]]
| |
