Difference between revisions of "Mk-55 "Thud" Liquid Fuel Engine"

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(Updated description; it was changed in v0.22)
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
{{Quote
 
{{Quote
|After an intensive search for an engineer crazy enough to plan and build a revolutionary new engine type, researchers stumbled across Eugene Kerman - or, as he's known by night... THE CONSTRUCTOR! He failed miserably, and this is what we got instead.|Jebediah Kerman's Junkyard and Spaceship Parts Co.}}
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|After an intensive search for an engineer crazy enough to plan and build a revolutionary new engine type, researchers turned to renowned engineer Eumon Kerman, one of the btop minds in the industry. He failed miserably at the job, and this is what we ended up with.|Rockomax Conglomerate}}
  
 
== Changes ==
 
== Changes ==

Revision as of 23:19, 10 January 2014

Mk-55 "Thud" Liquid Fuel Engine
Part image
Liquid fuel engine by
Rockomax Conglomerate

Radial size Radial mounted
Cost (total) 820.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.90 t
Drag 0.2
Max. Temp. 2000 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 7 m/s
Research Advanced rocketry.png Advanced Rocketry
Unlock cost 3 500 Funds
Since version 0.16
Part configuration liquidEngineMk55.cfg
Liquid fuel engine
Maximum thrust (1 atm) 108.20 kN
(vacuum) 120.00 kN
Isp (1 atm) 275 s
(vacuum) 305 s
Fuel consumption 8.02 Units of fuel/s


Thrust vectoring 8 °
Testing Environments
On the surface Yes
In the ocean Yes
On the launchpad Yes
In the atmosphere Yes
Sub orbital Yes
In an orbit Yes
On an escape Yes
Docked No
Test by staging Yes
Manually testable Yes

The Rockomax Mark 55 Radial mount engine requires fuel from external liquid fuel tanks, and must be either connected beneath them or be on the receiving end of a fuel line.

Usage

The Mark 55 is the third liquid fuel engine with thrust vector control, that allows efficient control of the rocket during descent and landing. The Mk 55 is fairly low thrust, however this is offset by its comparatively low weight. The engine has a comparable TWR with the LV-T45.

The low thrust (and radial mounting) makes a single Mk55 unsuitable as a main engine on most lower stages, but it can be used to augment other engines. A common use of this engine is in lander designs, as it eliminates the need to have a vulnerable engine in an easily-damaged position. The Isp of this engine is quite poor (290 at 1 atm and 320 in vacuum) which limits its usefulness. It is recommended to not be used in atmospheric landings.

Also, landing legs can be added to these engines. This is an advantage shared between radial engines, such as the LV-1R, Rockomax 24-77 and the Mark 55.

As of 0.18.2, this engine has the highest range of gimbal with 3 degrees.

Description

After an intensive search for an engineer crazy enough to plan and build a revolutionary new engine type, researchers turned to renowned engineer Eumon Kerman, one of the btop minds in the industry. He failed miserably at the job, and this is what we ended up with.

Rockomax Conglomerate

Changes

0.18
  • Mass reduced from from 1.5 to 0.9, gimbal range increased to 3°, Isp curve changed from 330 vacuum/280 atmosphere to 320 vacuum/290 atmosphere, heat production increased from 300 to 350.
0.17
  • Renamed 'Mark 55 Radial mount engine' to 'Rockomax Mark 55 Radial Mount Liquid Engine'
  • Thrust increased from 80 kN to 120 kN.
0.16
  • Initial Release