Why do Atlas III and V use Russian RD-180 engines?
Oct 9, 2023 · The RD-180 was developed in 42 months at a small fraction of the cost of a typical US new engine development. Lockheed Martin chose the RD-180 engine for its Atlas V launch …
rd 180 - What replacement engine options are there for Antares?
This is also a LOX/kerosene engine, derived from the RD-170. The RD-170 is a 1.6 MLbs thrust engine used on Zenit boosters (which were initially strap on boosters for Energia) that has 4 …
How is an RD-180 engine a reasonable replacement for 2 NK …
But the NK-33/AJ-26 is about a 330Klb (Sea level) thrust engine, and with two that is around 660Klbs thrust. The RD-180 is a 860Klb thrust engine, which is quite a growth from 660Klbs, …
combustion - Which are more efficient: oxidizer-rich or fuel rich ...
Oct 10, 2023 · Regardless of whether oxidizer-rich engines would be more efficient, the RD-180's efficiency is not due to that, as the RD-180 runs fuel-rich. According to braeunig.us, for each …
engine design - Atlas V RD-180 Analysis - Space Exploration Stack …
Mar 6, 2024 · $\begingroup$ Looking harder at your second source, Section IC says "a 5-percent thrust increase of the RD-180 is required" and it seems like they're working with a mostly …
Why can't Pratt & Whitney make RD-180 engines on their own?
May 31, 2016 · Under RD AMROSS, Pratt & Whitney is licensed to produce the RD-180 in the United States. Originally, production of the RD-180 in the US was scheduled to begin in 2008, …
How will the BE-4 engine "Save taxpayer money"?
The 'national security launch costs' refer to launches on Atlas V. The current version uses the Russian RD-180 engine. A few years ago, continued availability of this engine became …
Would two RD-190's be better or worse than a single RD-180?
With all the talk of re-engining Antares, many possibilities arise. Solids, new liquid engine, existing Russian engines (RD-180, RD-190), etc. Focussing on the RD-1xx family though, an RD-180 …
Why does the RD-180 route the preburner exhaust directly into …
Jun 22, 2019 · If the RD-180 was to be done by Americans, the tapoff to drive the LOX boost pump would be from the HP discharge aft of the HP LOX pump and the $\mathsf{He}$ heat …
rockets - What was RD-180 used in, before Atlas III/V? - Space ...
The RD-180 has provided exceptional performance to the Atlas V and was chosen to be the engine of the first stage in no small part because of its safety record and reliable performance …