LV-N "Nerv" Atomic Rocket Motor
The LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor is a low-thrust, high-efficiency rocket engine. It is modeled after the real-world nuclear thermal rocket, which uses a fission reactor to heat liquid hydrogen and propel it out of the rocket nozzle; however, as of version 0.20.2, it is a still a hybrid design which is powered by liquid fuel and oxidizer. This is largely due to programming constraints, as stated in it's parts.cfg file.
Usage
The LV-N provides less thrust than almost every other liquid fuel engine with the LV-909 being the main engine with less power. However, it has a vacuum Isp of 800 s, the best in the game of any liquid-fueled engine. Only the ion engine is higher but with even less thrust. This remarkable efficiency makes it quite popular for transfer and injection stages, where high thrust is unneeded and no atmospheres are present. It will overheat, but it will usually stop at about 1/3 through the overheat bar.
Description
| “ | 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. — Jebediah Kerman's Junkyard and Spaceship Parts Co. |
” |
| “ | 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 |
” |
Changes
- Initial Release
