Difference between revisions of "Fuel"

From Kerbal Space Program Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Cleaned up grammar and terminology.)
(Added details on what LF+OX could be)
(12 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Stub}}
 
{{Stub}}
  
'''Fuel''', also called '''propellant''', is the key [[resource]] used to propel [[spacecraft|craft]]. All fuels except [[xeonon|xeonon gas]] are combined with [[oxidizer]] and burned in the [[engine]]'s combustion chamber; xenon gas is simply accelerated by electromagnetic forces.
+
'''Fuel''', also called '''propellant''', is an expendable [[resource]] used by [[reaction engine]]s to generate [[thrust]]. Some fuels require another resource for the engine using them to operate, and others operate alone. The [[Convert-O-Tron 125]] or [[Convert-O-Tron 250]] on a craft can be used to convert [[Ore]] that has been drilled to fuel, but there are no other ways to generate fuel {{Check version||1.0.2}}; its only source is tanks added to [[craft]] during construction in the [[Editor]].
  
Fuel either references all [[resource]]s, including [[electric charge]], which are used by engines; or alternatively, and more commonly, describes only the resource which is used while the engine is burning. The latter definition describes:
+
== Types ==
 +
The types of fuel are:
 
* [[Liquid fuel]]
 
* [[Liquid fuel]]
 
* [[Solid fuel]]
 
* [[Solid fuel]]
 +
* [[Monopropellant]]
 
* [[Xenon gas]]
 
* [[Xenon gas]]
* [[Monopropellant]]
+
All fuels can be transferred between compatible types of fuel storage tanks ''except'' solid fuel, which is built into the same part as the engines which utilize it.
The first definition would also include [[oxidizer]] and [[intake air]], both of which supply oxygen to [[liquid fuel]]. In wider terms, [[electric charge]] may also be covered, since it is required by [[ion engine]]s.
+
 
 +
'''Liquid fuel''' is the most commonly used and must be combusted with a resource representing [[oxygen]]. For [[rocket engine]]s it must be combined with onboard [[oxidizer]] in a 9:11 ratio of fuel to oxidizer. Fuel and oxidizer could be liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as stated in the [[Convert-O-Tron 250]]'s description when it says "This mobile processing plant can take raw materials containing even trace amounts of oxygen and hydrogen, and crack them into useful fuel products." For [[jet engine]]s each unit of fuel must be combined with 11 units of [[intake air]] continuously collected inside an oxygen-rich [[atmosphere]].
 +
 
 +
'''Solid fuel''' works alone and is built into solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
 +
 
 +
'''Monopropellant''' works alone, most often used in [[Reaction Control System]] thrusters.
 +
 
 +
'''Xenon gas''' is used by [[ion engine]]s, accelerated by electromagnetic forces, and requires [[electric current]] either stored in [[battery|batteries]] and/or drawn from generators or solar panels.

Revision as of 12:53, 20 April 2019

This article is a stub. You can help KSP Wiki by expanding it.

Fuel, also called propellant, is an expendable resource used by reaction engines to generate thrust. Some fuels require another resource for the engine using them to operate, and others operate alone. The Convert-O-Tron 125 or Convert-O-Tron 250 on a craft can be used to convert Ore that has been drilled to fuel, but there are no other ways to generate fuel [outdated]; its only source is tanks added to craft during construction in the Editor.

Types

The types of fuel are:

All fuels can be transferred between compatible types of fuel storage tanks except solid fuel, which is built into the same part as the engines which utilize it.

Liquid fuel is the most commonly used and must be combusted with a resource representing oxygen. For rocket engines it must be combined with onboard oxidizer in a 9:11 ratio of fuel to oxidizer. Fuel and oxidizer could be liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as stated in the Convert-O-Tron 250's description when it says "This mobile processing plant can take raw materials containing even trace amounts of oxygen and hydrogen, and crack them into useful fuel products." For jet engines each unit of fuel must be combined with 11 units of intake air continuously collected inside an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Solid fuel works alone and is built into solid rocket boosters (SRBs).

Monopropellant works alone, most often used in Reaction Control System thrusters.

Xenon gas is used by ion engines, accelerated by electromagnetic forces, and requires electric current either stored in batteries and/or drawn from generators or solar panels.