 | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Designer | Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne |
| Manufacturer | Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne |
| Application | first stage |
| Status | prototype |
| Liquid-fuel engine | |
| Propellant | LOX /LH2 |
| Cycle | Gas-generator cycle |
| Performance | |
| Thrust, vacuum | 750,000 lbf (3,300 kN) |
| Specific impulse, vacuum | 446 seconds (4.37 km/s) |
| Dimensions | |
| Dry mass | 12,700 pounds (5,800 kg) |
TheRS-83 was arocket engine design for a reusableliquid 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 firststage of a two-stage-to-orbitreusable launch vehicle.[1]
It was developed byRocketdyne Propulsion and Power, located inCanoga Park, California to power the launch vehicle as part of theSpace Launch Initiative (SLI) program. This engine was designed to produce a thrust of 664,000 lbf (2,950 kN) at sea level and 750,000 lbf (3,300 kN) in a vacuum with anIsp of 395 seconds (3.87 km/s) and 446 seconds (4.37 km/s) respectively.
The engine was designed to use many new technologies including ones developed for theSpace Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Technologies include channel wall regenerative nozzles, hydrostatic bearings, and turbine damping.[2]
The RS-83 is loosely based on theRS-68 that powers theDelta IV expendable launch vehicle. The RS-83 design is more efficient, lighter, slightly stronger, and yet reusable. The engine design weight was 12,700 pounds (5,800 kg) with an enginethrust to weight ratio of 52 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 tolow 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 toexpendable launch systems used in theConstellation program forhuman spaceflights to the Moon and Mars.