 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Info on improvement projects is dated. (June 2020) |
.jpg) An RL10A-4 engine in London's Science Museum | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| First flight | 1962 (RL10A-1) |
| Manufacturer | Aerojet Rocketdyne |
| Application | Upper stage engine |
| Associated LV | Atlas · Delta III · Delta IV · Saturn I · SLS · Titan IIIE · Titan IV · Vulcan Centaur Canceled: DC-X · OmegA · Space Shuttle |
| Status | In production |
| Liquid-fuel engine | |
| Propellant | LOX / LH2 |
| Mixture ratio | 5.88:1 |
| Cycle | Expander cycle |
| Configuration | |
| Nozzle ratio | 84:1 or 280:1 |
| Performance | |
| Thrust, vacuum | 110.1 kN (24,800 lbf) |
| Specific impulse, vacuum | 465.5 s (4.565 km/s) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) w/ nozzle extended |
| Diameter | 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) |
| Dry mass | 301 kg (664 lb) |
| Used in | |
| Centaur, DCSS, S-IV | |
| References | |
| References | [1] |
| Notes | Performance values and dimensions are for RL10B-2. |
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 110 kN (24,729 lbf) of thrust per engine in vacuum. Three RL10 versions are in production for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas V and the DCSS of the Delta IV. Three more versions are in development for the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System and the Centaur V of the Vulcan rocket.[2]
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 373 to 470 s (3.66–4.61 km/s) in a vacuum. Mass ranges from 131 to 317 kg (289–699 lb) depending on the version of the engine.[3][4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
EA10B2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Aerojet Rocketdyne 2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "RL-10C". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ "RL-10A-1". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2020.