Tag Archives: rocket

RD-180 Engine Diagram

Posted on Mon, 2010-04-12 by gravityloss

This is a bit different from the NK-33 done previously, but it’s still a full flow oxidizer rich staged combustion lox-kerosene engine. It has no gears and no flexible shaft coupling between the pumps like the NK-33, making it a … Continue reading →

Posted in engines, industry, Models, RLV:s | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The US Air Force Tries To Do Reusables

Posted on Thu, 2010-04-08 by gravityloss

But is not a real RLV program. It’s just a narrow test for one technology. Hence I think naming it Reusable Booster System Pathfinder is misleading. Overspecification They overspecify the problem by requiring a glide landing. Why is it superior … Continue reading →

Posted in airplane, Architecture, engines, industry, Models, Motivation, RLV:s | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lunar Lander Challenge 2009

Posted on Wed, 2009-09-16 by gravityloss

Armadillo finally won L2 already. Masten and Unreasonable are still flying for second place I think (I’m not 100% clear on the rules) today! Spacetransportnews is the place to watch all this. (Or it has the links collected.) It’s historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Homebuilt, industry, Lunar, Motivation, RLV:s, Suborbital | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Optimum Rocket Cruise

Posted on Fri, 2009-03-20 by gravityloss

With some caveats. 🙂 Let’s assume a rocket is launched, and accelerates to constant speed v_c. Then it stays cruising at this speed and at a constant altitude. Landing is disregarded. The cruise We must modify the rocket equation slightly … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Demotivation, Humor, Motivation, RLV:s, Science Links, Spacecraft, Suborbital, Transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments