RE-M3 "Mainsail" Liquid Fuel Engine
The Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine is used to provide thrust for larger rockets and lower stages. It is typically fueled by FL-T16 and FL-T32 Fuel Tanks.
Usage
The Mainsail is the most common choice for lifting large stacks of FL-T32 Fuel Tanks into orbit and beyond, or propelling large heavy lift vehicles. As of 0.17, this is one of only two size 2 engines, and it is the highest thrust stock part by almost a factor of 3. The thrust vectoring Also gives it good pitch and yaw control authority, greatly easing first stage stability.
The TWR of this engine excellent, equal to that of the Aerospike and well above the above the smaller LV-T30 or LV-T45. However, the Mainsail suffers from a rather low Isp -- approximately 12-18% the size 1 engines and the Poodle in vacuum. Isp in atmospheres is somewhat more even, but quickly falls below that of the BACC.
More subtly, the high thrust of this part, combined with thrust vectoring (TVC) can destroy poorly built rockets in the middle of ascents. Throttling down is often recommended.
Description
| “ | A monster of an engine for heavy lifting purposes, the Mainsail's power rivals that of entire small nations. — Rockomax Conglomerate |
” |
Created by: NovaSilisko
Changes
- Overheats much faster
- (Undocumented) Renamed, thrust increased (1200 -> 1500), weight decreased (7 -> 6), new description
- Initial Release
