J-33 "Wheesley" Turbofan Engine

J-33 "Wheesley" Turbofan Engine
Jet engine by C7 Aerospace Division
Radial size		Small
Cost	(total)	1 400.00
Mass	(total)	1.500 t
Drag		0.2
Max. Temp.		2000 K
Impact Tolerance		7 m/s
Research		Aerodynamics
Unlock cost		4 000
Since version		0.15
Part configuration		jetEngineBasic.cfg
Maximum thrust		120.00 kN
Isp	(max)	10500 s
Fuel consumption		0.23 /s
Intake air consumption		29.60 /s
Thrust vectoring		No
Electricity generated		4 ⚡/s
Testing Environments
On the surface		Yes
In the ocean		Yes
On the launchpad		Yes
In the atmosphere		Yes
Sub-orbital		No
In an orbit		No
On an escape		No
Docked		No
Test by staging		Yes
Manually testable		Yes
Packed volume		None

The Basic Jet Engine is an air-breathing engine which uses liquid fuel and intake air.

Usage

This engine is the first air breathing engine to unlock in the tech tree. Technically it is also the most basic one, hence the name. As on all engines, thrust varies with height. Contrary to all rocket engines, air breathing engines' thrust diminishes with increasing height. Furthermore differing from most rocket engines, this has a real impact on usage, as the effect is far more distinct.

Its maximum stationary thrust is rated with 80 kN at sea level. At about 4000 m it generates just 47 kN, at about 11000 m it generates not more than 8 kN, ceasing to work at about 15600 m. Note that the behaviour between these points (given in the part stats)is somewhat non-linear, especially above 4000 m.

Thrust output also varies with speed, although far less then on the more advanced engines. Up to mach 0.6 it stays somewhat constant, slightly rising to a maximum of about 170% at mach 1.6 – 1.8, dropping to zero at mach 2.5.

The I_sp stays constant over the full range of application, which is a big change to KSP pre 1.0 versions. It is rated at 9600 s, making it the nominal most fuel efficient engine. However, as the thrust/height curve of this engine limits its usage to still quite thick air, this value is somewhat put into perspective.

All in all, it works best at 8000 – 12000 m height. Flying lower, the high air resistance requires more thrust which lowers the fuel efficiency, while in higher areas the engines thrust output is just too low for reasonable flight.

Note that currently, the only planets which these engines will work on are Kerbin and Jool's moon Laythe.

Product description

“

A standard air breathing engine. This model utilizes limited range thrust vectoring. This engine works best at low cruising speeds and altitudes.

”

Created by: C. Jenkins

Triva

The designation “J-33 Wheesley” may be a reference to the real-life JT3D turbofan jet engine, also known as the TF33, made by U.S. aerospace company Pratt & Whitney which was involved with the Space Race.

Changes

Appearance before 1.0.5

1.0.3

• Remodeled and retextured

1.0.3

• I_sp halved, thrust reduced

1.0

• complete overhaul of most characteristics

0.15

• Initial Release