Rs-83
Encyclopedia
The RS-83 was a rocket engine
design for a reusable liquid hydrogen
/liquid oxygen
rocket larger and more powerful than any other. The RS-83 was designed to last 100 missions, and was intended for use on the first stage
of a two-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle.
Propulsion and Power, located in Canoga Park, California to power the launch vehicle as part of the Space Launch Initiative
(SLI) program. This engine was designed to produce a thrust of 664000 lbf (2,953.6 kN) at sea level and 750000 lbf (3,336,166.2 N) in a vacuum with an Isp of 395 and 446 seconds (3.87 and 4.37 kN·s/kg), respectively.
The engine was designed to use many new technologies including ones developed for the Space Shuttle Main Engine
(SSME). Technologies include channel wall regenerative nozzles, hydrostatic bearings, and turbine damping.
The RS-83 is loosely based on the RS-68 that powers the Delta IV
expendable launch vehicle. The RS-83 design is more efficient, lighter, slightly stronger, and yet reusable. The engine design weight was 12,700 lb
(5,760 kg) with an engine thrust to weight ratio of 52:1 at launch.
One of the main goals of SLI was to develop components of a reusable launch vehicle with high reliability. The RS-83 was designed for a loss of vehicle rate of 1 in 1,000. Another goal of the program was to dramatically reduce the cost per unit weight of payload to low earth orbit. The RS-83 was designed with the goal of $1,000/lb ($2,200/kg).
The engine passed numerous design reviews and was on schedule for prototype testing in 2005 before the SLI program was cancelled. NASA changed its focus to expendable launch system
s used in the Constellation program for human spaceflight
s to the Moon and Mars.
Rocket engine
A rocket engine, or simply "rocket", is a jet engineRocket Propulsion Elements; 7th edition- chapter 1 that uses only propellant mass for forming its high speed propulsive jet. Rocket engines are reaction engines and obtain thrust in accordance with Newton's third law...
design for a reusable liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen is the liquid state of the element hydrogen. Hydrogen is found naturally in the molecular H2 form.To exist as a liquid, H2 must be pressurized above and cooled below hydrogen's Critical point. However, for hydrogen to be in a full liquid state without boiling off, it needs to be...
/liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
rocket larger and more powerful than any other. The RS-83 was designed to last 100 missions, and was intended for use on the first stage
Multistage rocket
A multistage rocket is a rocket that usestwo or more stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant. A tandem or serial stage is mounted on top of another stage; a parallel stage is attached alongside another stage. The result is effectively two or more rockets stacked on top of or...
of a two-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle.
Development
It was developed by RocketdyneRocketdyne
Rocketdyne was a Rocket engine design and production company headquartered in Canoga Park, California, United States. The company was related to North American Aviation for most of its history. NAA merged with Rockwell International, which was then bought by Boeing in December, 1996...
Propulsion and Power, located in Canoga Park, California to power the launch vehicle as part of the Space Launch Initiative
Space Launch Initiative
The Space Launch Initiative was a NASA and U.S. Department of Defense joint research and technology project to determine the requirements to meet all the nation’s hypersonics, space launch and space technology needs...
(SLI) program. This engine was designed to produce a thrust of 664000 lbf (2,953.6 kN) at sea level and 750000 lbf (3,336,166.2 N) in a vacuum with an Isp of 395 and 446 seconds (3.87 and 4.37 kN·s/kg), respectively.
The engine was designed to use many new technologies including ones developed for the Space Shuttle Main Engine
Space Shuttle main engine
The RS-25, otherwise known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine , is a reusable liquid-fuel rocket engine built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for the Space Shuttle, running on liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Each Space Shuttle was propelled by three SSMEs mated to one powerhead...
(SSME). Technologies include channel wall regenerative nozzles, hydrostatic bearings, and turbine damping.
The RS-83 is loosely based on the RS-68 that powers the Delta IV
Delta IV rocket
Delta IV is an active expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family. Delta IV uses rockets designed by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in the United Launch Alliance facility in Decatur, Alabama. Final assembly is completed at the launch site by ULA...
expendable launch vehicle. The RS-83 design is more efficient, lighter, slightly stronger, and yet reusable. The engine design weight was 12,700 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
(5,760 kg) with an engine thrust to weight ratio of 52:1 at launch.
One of the main goals of SLI was to develop components of a reusable launch vehicle with high reliability. The RS-83 was designed for a loss of vehicle rate of 1 in 1,000. Another goal of the program was to dramatically reduce the cost per unit weight of payload to low earth orbit. The RS-83 was designed with the goal of $1,000/lb ($2,200/kg).
The engine passed numerous design reviews and was on schedule for prototype testing in 2005 before the SLI program was cancelled. NASA changed its focus to expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
s used in the Constellation program for human spaceflight
Human spaceflight
Human spaceflight is spaceflight with humans on the spacecraft. When a spacecraft is manned, it can be piloted directly, as opposed to machine or robotic space probes and remotely-controlled satellites....
s to the Moon and Mars.