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imported>SilvBeek m Fixed table for RL10C-2, all items starting from length were moved once space to the left, also resulting in the length itself not being visible |
imported>Ivtue m MOS:REFSPACE |
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| manufacturer = [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] | | manufacturer = [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] | ||
| purpose = [[Upper stage]] engine | | purpose = [[Upper stage]] engine | ||
| associated = [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]]{{, }}[[Delta III]]{{, }}[[Delta IV]]{{, }}[[Saturn I]]{{, }}[[Space Launch System|SLS]]{{, }}[[Titan IIIE]]{{, }}[[Titan IV]]{{, }}[[Vulcan Centaur]]<br>'''Canceled''': [[McDonnell Douglas DC-X|DC-X]]{{, }}[[OmegA]]{{, }}[[ | | associated = [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]]{{, }}[[Delta III]]{{, }}[[Delta IV]]{{, }}[[Saturn I]]{{, }}[[Space Launch System|SLS]]{{, }}[[Titan IIIE]]{{, }}[[Titan IV]]{{, }}[[Vulcan Centaur]]<br>'''Canceled''': [[McDonnell Douglas DC-X|DC-X]]{{, }}[[OmegA]]{{, }}[[Shuttle-Centaur]] | ||
| status = In production | | status = In production | ||
| type = liquid | | type = liquid | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| dry_weight = {{cvt|301|kg}} | | dry_weight = {{cvt|301|kg}} | ||
| used_in = [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]], [[Delta Cryogenic Second Stage|DCSS]], [[S-IV]] | | used_in = [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]], [[Delta Cryogenic Second Stage|DCSS]], [[S-IV]] | ||
| references = <ref name="EA10B2" /> | | references =<ref name="EA10B2" /> | ||
| notes = Performance values and dimensions are for RL10B-2. | | notes = Performance values and dimensions are for RL10B-2. | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 129: | Line 129: | ||
| 470 s | | 470 s | ||
| [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] B/C/D/E | | [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] B/C/D/E | ||
| <ref name="EA10A3">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-3 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a3.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206225154/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a3.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |<ref name="EA10A3">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-3 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a3.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206225154/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a3.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10A-3S}} | | {{nowrap|RL10A-3S}} | ||
| Line 145: | Line 145: | ||
| | | | ||
| [[S-IV]] | | [[S-IV]] | ||
| <ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="Sutton 2005" /> | |<ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="Sutton 2005" /> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10A-4}} | | {{nowrap|RL10A-4}} | ||
| Line 161: | Line 161: | ||
| 392 s | | 392 s | ||
| [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur IIA]] | | [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur IIA]] | ||
| <ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A4">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-4 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a4.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115172045/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a4.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |<ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A4">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-4 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a4.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115172045/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a4.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10A-5}} | | {{nowrap|RL10A-5}} | ||
| Line 177: | Line 177: | ||
| 127 s | | 127 s | ||
| [[McDonnell Douglas DC-X|DC-X]] | | [[McDonnell Douglas DC-X|DC-X]] | ||
| <ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A5">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-5 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a5.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115141830/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a5.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |<ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A5">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-5 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a5.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115141830/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a5.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10B-2}} | | {{nowrap|RL10B-2}} | ||
| Line 209: | Line 209: | ||
| 740 s | | 740 s | ||
| [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur IIIA]] | | [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur IIIA]] | ||
| <ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A41">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-4-1 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a41.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117134046/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a41.htm |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |<ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="EA10A41">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10A-4-1 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a41.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117134046/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10a41.htm |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10A-4-2}} | | {{nowrap|RL10A-4-2}} | ||
| Line 241: | Line 241: | ||
| 408 s | | 408 s | ||
| [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur B-X]] | | [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur B-X]] | ||
| <ref name="EA10BX">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10B-X |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10bx.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115150728/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10bx.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | |<ref name="EA10BX">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=RL-10B-X |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Astronautica |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10bx.htm |access-date=February 27, 2012 |last=Wade |first=Mark |date=November 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115150728/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/rl10bx.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| CECE | | CECE | ||
| Line 257: | Line 257: | ||
| | | | ||
|N/A | |N/A | ||
| <ref name="PWRCECE">{{Cite web |title=Commons Extensible Cryogenic Engine |url=http://www.pw.utc.com/products/pwr/propulsion_solutions/cece.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304081145/http://www.pw.utc.com/products/pwr/propulsion_solutions/cece.asp |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |publisher=Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine – Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=http://www.rocket.com/common-extensible-cryogenic-engine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112144157/http://www.rocket.com/common-extensible-cryogenic-engine |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=www.rocket.com}}</ref> | |<ref name="PWRCECE">{{Cite web |title=Commons Extensible Cryogenic Engine |url=http://www.pw.utc.com/products/pwr/propulsion_solutions/cece.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304081145/http://www.pw.utc.com/products/pwr/propulsion_solutions/cece.asp |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |publisher=Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine – Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=http://www.rocket.com/common-extensible-cryogenic-engine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112144157/http://www.rocket.com/common-extensible-cryogenic-engine |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=www.rocket.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10C-1}} | | {{nowrap|RL10C-1}} | ||
| Line 305: | Line 305: | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Delta Cryogenic Second Stage|DCSS]] | | [[Delta Cryogenic Second Stage|DCSS]] | ||
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=RL10 Engine {{!}} Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=https://www.rocket.com/space/liquid-engines/rl10-engine |access-date=2020-06-19 |website=www.rocket.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=William |date=2022-09-24 |title=Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/09/delta-iv-nrol-91/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL10 Engine {{!}} Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=https://www.rocket.com/space/liquid-engines/rl10-engine |access-date=2020-06-19 |website=www.rocket.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=William |date=2022-09-24 |title=Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/09/delta-iv-nrol-91/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10C-2}} | | {{nowrap|RL10C-2}} | ||
| Line 337: | Line 337: | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Exploration Upper Stage|EUS]] | | [[Exploration Upper Stage|EUS]] | ||
| <ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="Aerojet Rocketdyne 2" /><ref name="sls-update" /> | |<ref name="Norbert" /><ref name="Aerojet Rocketdyne 2" /><ref name="sls-update" /> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10C-5-1}} | | {{nowrap|RL10C-5-1}} | ||
| Line 353: | Line 353: | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Omega (rocket)|OmegA]] | | [[Omega (rocket)|OmegA]] | ||
| <ref name="Aerojet Rocketdyne 2" /><ref name="SpaceNews 2020" /> | |<ref name="Aerojet Rocketdyne 2" /><ref name="SpaceNews 2020" /> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{nowrap|RL10C-X}} | | {{nowrap|RL10C-X}} | ||
| Line 369: | Line 369: | ||
| | | | ||
| [[Centaur (rocket stage)#Centaur V|Centaur V]] | | [[Centaur (rocket stage)#Centaur V|Centaur V]] | ||
| Additive manufacturing <ref>{{Cite web |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne Secures Its Largest RL10 Engine Contract From ULA |url=https://ir.aerojetrocketdyne.com/news-releases/news-release-details/aerojet-rocketdyne-secures-its-largest-rl10-engine-contract |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.aerojetrocketdyne.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RL10 Engine | Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=https://www.rocket.com/space/liquid-engines/rl10-engine |access-date=2022-05-07 |publisher=Rocket.com}}</ref> | | Additive manufacturing<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne Secures Its Largest RL10 Engine Contract From ULA |url=https://ir.aerojetrocketdyne.com/news-releases/news-release-details/aerojet-rocketdyne-secures-its-largest-rl10-engine-contract |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=www.aerojetrocketdyne.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RL10 Engine | Aerojet Rocketdyne |url=https://www.rocket.com/space/liquid-engines/rl10-engine |access-date=2022-05-07 |publisher=Rocket.com}}</ref> | ||
|} | |} | ||
Latest revision as of 19:33, 22 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox rocket engine
The RL10 is a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine built in the United States by Aerojet Rocketdyne that burns cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. Modern versions produce up to Template:Convert of thrust per engine in vacuum. RL10 versions were produced for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas V and the DCSS of the Delta IV. More versions are in development or in use for the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System and the Centaur V of the Vulcan rocket.[1]
The expander cycle that the engine uses drives the turbopump with waste heat absorbed by the engine combustion chamber, throat, and nozzle. This, combined with the hydrogen fuel, leads to very high specific impulses (Isp) in the range of Template:Convert in a vacuum. Mass ranges from Template:Convert depending on the version of the engine.[2][3]
History
The RL10 was the first liquid hydrogen rocket engine to be built in the United States, with development of the engine by Marshall Space Flight Center and Pratt & Whitney beginning in the 1950s. The RL10 was originally developed as a throttleable engine for the USAF Lunex lunar lander.[4]
The RL10 was first tested on the ground in 1959, at Pratt & Whitney's Florida Research and Development Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.[5][6] The first successful flight took place on November 27, 1963.[7][8] For that launch, two RL10A-3 engines powered the Centaur upper stage of an Atlas launch vehicle. The launch was used to conduct a heavily instrumented performance and structural integrity test of the vehicle.[9]
Multiple versions of this engine have been flown. The S-IV of the Saturn I used a cluster of six RL10A-3S, a version which was modified for installation on the Saturn[10] and the Titan program included Centaur D-1T upper stages powered by two RL10A-3-3 Engines.[10][11]
Four modified RL10A-5 engines were used in the McDonnell Douglas DC-X.[12]
A flaw in the brazing of an RL10B-2 combustion chamber was identified as the cause of failure for the 4 May 1999 Delta III launch carrying the Orion-3 communications satellite.[13]
The DIRECT version 3.0 proposal to replace Ares I and Ares V with a family of rockets sharing a common core stage recommended the RL10 for the second stage of the J-246 and J-247 launch vehicles.[14] Up to seven RL10 engines would have been used in the proposed Jupiter Upper Stage, serving an equivalent role to the Space Launch System Exploration Upper Stage.
Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine
In the early 2000s, NASA contracted with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to develop the Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine (CECE) demonstrator. CECE was intended to lead to RL10 engines capable of deep throttling.[15] In 2007, its operability (with some "chugging") was demonstrated at 11:1 throttle ratios.[16] In 2009, NASA reported successfully throttling from 104 percent thrust to eight percent thrust, a record for an expander cycle engine of this type. Chugging was eliminated by injector and propellant feed system modifications that control the pressure, temperature and flow of propellants.[17] In 2010, the throttling range was expanded further to a 17.6:1 ratio, throttling from 104% to 5.9% power.[18]
Early 2010s possible successor
In 2012 NASA joined with the US Air Force (USAF) to study next-generation upper stage propulsion, formalizing the agencies' joint interests in a new upper stage engine to replace the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10.
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
"We know the list price on an RL10. If you look at cost over time, a very large portion of the unit cost of the EELVs is attributable to the propulsion systems, and the RL10 is a very old engine, and there's a lot of craftwork associated with its manufacture. ... That's what this study will figure out, is it worthwhile to build an RL10 replacement?"
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
From the study, NASA hoped to find a less expensive RL10-class engine for the upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS).[19][20]
USAF hoped to replace the Rocketdyne RL10 engines used on the upper stages of the Lockheed Martin Atlas V and the Boeing Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) that were the primary methods of putting US government satellites into space.[19] A related requirements study was conducted at the same time under the Affordable Upper Stage Engine Program (AUSEP).[20]
Improvements
The RL10 has evolved over the years. The RL10B-2 that was used on the DCSS had improved performance, an extendable carbon-carbon nozzle, electro-mechanical gimbaling for reduced weight and increased reliability, and a specific impulse of Template:Convert.[21][22]
As of 2016, Aerojet Rocketdyne was working toward incorporating additive manufacturing into the RL10 construction process. The company conducted full-scale, hot-fire tests on an engine that had a printed main injector in March 2016.[23] Another project by Aerojet Rocketdyne was an engine with a printed thrust chamber assembly in April 2017.[24]
Applications
Current
- Centaur III: The single engine centaur (SEC) version uses the RL10C-1,[1] while the dual engine centaur (DEC) version retains the smaller RL10A-4-2.[25] An Atlas V mission (SBIRS-5) marked the first use of the RL10C-1-1 version. The mission was successful but observed unexpected vibration, and further use of the RL10C-1-1 model is on hold until the problem is better understood.[26] The engine was used again successfully on SBIRS-6.
- Centaur V stage: On May 11, 2018, United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced that the RL10 upper stage engine had been selected for its Vulcan Centaur rocket following a competitive procurement process.[27] Early versions of the Centaur V will use the RL10C-1-1,[1] but later versions will transition to the RL10C-X.[28] Vulcan flew its successful maiden flight on January 8, 2024.[29]
- Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage: The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage or ICPS is used for the SLS and is similar to the DCSS, except that the engine is an RL10B-2 and it is adapted to fit on top of the 8.4 meter diameter core stage with four RS-25 Space Shuttle Main Engines.
In development
- Exploration Upper Stage: The Exploration Upper Stage will use four RL10C-3 engines.[30]
Cancelled
- OmegA Upper Stage: In April 2018, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems announced that two RL10C-5-1 engines would be used on OmegA in the upper stage.[31] Blue Origin's BE-3U and Airbus Safran's Vinci were also considered before Aerojet Rocketdyne's engine was selected. OmegA development was halted after it failed to win a National Security Space Launch contract.[32]
- Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage: Template:As of, an enhanced version of the RL10 was proposed to power the Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES), a long-duration, low-boiloff extension of existing ULA Centaur and Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) technology for the Vulcan launch vehicle.[33] Long-duration ACES technology is intended to support geosynchronous, cislunar, and interplanetary missions. Another possible application is as in-space propellant depots in LEO or at Template:L2 that could be used as way-stations for other rockets to stop and refuel on the way to beyond-LEO or interplanetary missions. Cleanup of space debris was also proposed.[34]
Table of versions
| Version | Status | First flight | Dry mass | Thrust | Isp (ve), vac. | Length | Nozzle diameter | T:W | O:F | Expansion ratio | Chamber pressure | Burn time | Associated stage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RL10A-1 | Retired | 1962 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 52:1 | 5:1 | 40:1 | Template:Cvt | 430 s | Centaur A | Prototype [10][25][35][36] |
| RL10A-3C | Retired | 1963 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 51:1 | 5:1 | 57:1 | Template:Cvt | 470 s | Centaur B/C/D/E | [37] |
| RL10A-3S | Retired | 1964 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 51:1 | 5:1 | 40:1 | Template:Cvt | S-IV | [10][7] | ||
| RL10A-4 | Retired | 1992 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 56:1 | 5.5:1 | 84:1 | Template:Cvt | 392 s | Centaur IIA | [10][38] |
| RL10A-5 | Retired | 1993 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 46:1 | 6:1 | 4:1 | Template:Cvt | 127 s | DC-X | [10][39] |
| RL10B-2 | Retired | 1998 | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Stowed: Template:Cvt Deployed: Template:Cvt |
Template:Cvt | 40:1 | 5.88:1 | 280:1 | Template:Cvt | 5m: 1,125 s 4m: 700 s |
DCSS ICPS |
Succeeded by RL10C-2.[40][41] |
| RL10A-4-1 | Retired | 2000 | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 61:1 | 84:1 | Template:Cvt | 740 s | Centaur IIIA | [10][42] | |
| RL10A-4-2 | Active | 2002 | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 61:1 | 84:1 | Template:Cvt | 740 s | Centaur IIIB Centaur SEC Centaur DEC |
Used for Starliner launches.[10][43][44] | |
| RL10B-X | Cancelled | — | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 30:1 | 250:1 | 408 s | Centaur B-X | [45] | |||
| CECE | Demonstrator project | — | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt, throttle to 5–10% | >Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 43:1 | N/A | [46][47] | |||||
| RL10C-1 | Retired | 2014 | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 57:1 | 5.5:1 | 130:1 | Centaur SEC Centaur DEC |
Succeeded by RL-10C-1-1.[48][49][50][44] | ||
| RL10C-1-1 | Active | 2021 | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 57:1 | 5.5:1 | 155:1 | Atlas: 842 s Vulcan: 1,077 s |
Centaur SEC Centaur V |
Current standard engine for Atlas V and Vulcan Centaur.[10][1] | |
| RL10C-2-1 | Retired | 2022 | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Stowed: Template:Cvt Deployed: Template:Cvt |
Template:Cvt | 37:1 | 5.88:1 | 280:1 | DCSS | [51][52] | ||
| RL10C-2 | Delivered, not yet flown | 2026 (expected) | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | Stowed: Template:Cvt Deployed: Template:Cvt |
2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) | 37:1 | 5.88:1 | 280:1 | ICPS | Conversion of C-3[53] | |||
| RL10C-3 | Delivered, not yet flown | 2028 (expected) | Template:Cvt | Template:Convert | Template:Convert | Template:Cvt | Template:Cvt | 48:1 | 5.7:1 | 215:1 | EUS | [10][1][53] | ||
| RL10C-5-1 | Cancelled | — | Template:Cvt | 106 kN (23,825 Template:Lbf) | Template:Cvt | 2.46 m (8 ft 0.7 in) | 1.57 m (4 ft 9 in) | 57:1 | 5.5:1 | OmegA | [1][32] | |||
| RL10C-X | In development | 2025 (expected) | Template:Cvt | 107.29 kN (24,120 Template:Lbf) | Template:Cvt | 3.31 m (130.4 in) | 1.87 m (73.7 in) | 47.29:1 | 5.5:1 | Centaur V | Additive manufacturing[54][55] |
Partial specifications
All versions
- Contractor: Pratt & Whitney
- Propellants: liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen[22]
- Design: expander cycle[56]
- Ignition: electric spark.[57]
RL10A
- Thrust (altitude): 15,000Template:Nbsplb-f (66.7 kN)[35]
- Specific impulse: Template:Convert
- Engine weight, dry: 298 lb (135 kg)
- Height: 68Template:Nbspin (1.73Template:Nbspm)
- Diameter: 39Template:Nbspin (0.99Template:Nbspm)
- Nozzle expansion ratio: 40 to 1
- Propellant flow: 35 lb/s (16 kg/s)
- Vehicle application: Saturn I, S-IV 2nd stage, 6 engines
- Vehicle application: Centaur upper stage, 2 engines
RL10B-2
- Thrust (altitude): 24,750 lbf (110.1 kN)[22]
- Specific impulse: Template:Convert[22]
- Engine weight, dry: 664 lb (301.2 kg)[22]
- Height: 163.5Template:Nbspin (4.14Template:Nbspm)[22]
- Diameter: 84.5Template:Nbspin (2.21Template:Nbspm)[22]
- Expansion ratio: 280 to 1
- Mixture ratio: 5.88 to 1 oxygen:hydrogen mass ratio[22]
- Propellant flow: fuel, 7.72 lb/s (3.5 kg/s); oxidizer 45.42 lb/s (20.6 kg/s)[22]
- Vehicle application: Delta III, Delta IV second stage (1 engine)
Gallery
-
RL10A-1
-
RL10A-3S
-
RL10A-4
-
RL10A-4-2
-
RL10B-2
.jpeg){kind=link}
Engines on display
- An RL10A-1 is on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut[58]
- An RL10 is on display at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois[59]
- An RL10A-1 is on display at the Cernan Earth and Space Center, River Grove, Illinois
- An RL10 is on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama[59]
- An RL10 is on display at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana[60]
- Two RL10 engines are on display at US Space Walk of Fame, Titusville, Florida[61]
- An RL10 is on display at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach, Florida.
- An RL10 is on display in the Aerospace Engineering Department, Davis Hall at Auburn University.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- An RL10A-4 is on display at the Science Museum in London, UK.[62]
- An RL10 is on display at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC
- An RL10 is on display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in San Diego, CA.[63]
- An RL10B-2 is on display outside the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, CA.
See also
- Spacecraft propulsion
- RL60
- MARC-60
- RD-0146
- XCOR/ULA aluminum alloy nozzle engine, under development in 2011
References
Bibliography
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External links
Template:Pratt & Whitney aeroengines Template:Rocket engines Template:Atlas rockets Template:Thor and Delta rockets
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