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RD-180 (rocket engine)
Encyclopedia
The RD-180 is a Russia
n dual-combustion chamber
, dual-nozzle
rocket engine
, derived from the RD-170
used in Soviet Zenit rocket
s, and currently provides first-stage power for American Atlas launch vehicles
.
. The RD-180 is fueled by a kerosene
/liquid oxygen
mixture and uses an extremely efficient, high-pressure staged combustion cycle
. The engine runs with an oxidizer to fuel ratio of 2.72 and (like its progenitor the RD-170) is unique in that it employs an oxygen-rich preburner, unlike typical fuel-rich US designs. The thermodynamics of the cycle allow a oxygen-rich preburner to give a greater power-to-weight ratio, but with the drawback that high pressure, high temperature gaseous oxygen must be transported throughout the engine. The movements of the engine nozzles are controlled by four hydraulic actuators. Another unique feature of RD-180 is its capability of being throttled from 40% to 100% of rated thrust.
Space Systems Division (later purchased by Lockheed Martin
) acquired the rights to use the RD-180 in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and the Atlas program. As these programs were conceived to support United States
government launches as well as commercial launches, it was also arranged for the RD-180 to be co-produced by Pratt & Whitney
. However all production to date has taken place in Russia. The engine is currently sold by a joint venture between the Russian developer and producer of the engine NPO Energomash
and Pratt & Whitney, called RD AMROSS
.
The RD-180 was first deployed on the Atlas IIA-R vehicle, which was the Atlas IIA vehicle with the Russian (hence the R) engine replacing the previous main engine. This vehicle was later renamed the Atlas III. An additional development program was undertaken to certify the engine for use on the modular Common Core Booster
primary stage of the Atlas V rocket.
Russia
n space launch vehicles, proposed by Roskosmos contractors, but the program was canceled in October 2011.
Jerry Grey, a consultant to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Universities Space Research Association and a former professor of aerospace engineering at Princeton University, suggested using the RD-180 for a prospective NASA heavy-lift launch vehicle. For those who might be concerned about too much reliance on Russia, he pointed out that RD Amross was "very close to producing a U.S.-built version of the RD-180, and with some infusion of NASA funding could be manufacturing that engine (and perhaps even a 1700000 lbf (7.6 MN) thrust equivalent of the RD-170) in a few years."
Despite the availability of necessary documentation and legal rights for producing RD-180 in the United States, NASA
is considering to develop an indigenous core stage engine that would be "capable of generating high levels of thrust approximately equal to or exceeding the performance of the Russian-built engine." NASA intends to produce a fully operational engine by 2020, or sooner if it can establish a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n dual-combustion chamber
Combustion chamber
A combustion chamber is the part of an engine in which fuel is burned.-Internal combustion engine:The hot gases produced by the combustion occupy a far greater volume than the original fuel, thus creating an increase in pressure within the limited volume of the chamber...
, dual-nozzle
Nozzle
A nozzle is a device designed to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow as it exits an enclosed chamber or pipe via an orifice....
rocket engine
Rocket engine
A rocket engine, or simply "rocket", is a jet engineRocket Propulsion Elements; 7th edition- chapter 1 that uses only propellant mass for forming its high speed propulsive jet. Rocket engines are reaction engines and obtain thrust in accordance with Newton's third law...
, derived from the RD-170
RD-170 (rocket engine)
The RD-170 is the world's most powerful liquid-fuel rocket engine, designed and produced in the USSR by NPO Energomash for use with Energia launch vehicle...
used in Soviet Zenit rocket
Zenit rocket
Zenit is a family of space launch vehicles designed by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau of Ukraine. Zenit was built in the 1980s for two purposes: as a liquid rocket booster for the Energia rocket and, equipped with a second stage, as a stand-alone rocket...
s, and currently provides first-stage power for American Atlas launch vehicles
Atlas (rocket family)
Atlas is a family of U.S. space launch vehicles. The original Atlas missile was designed in the late 1950s and produced by the Convair Division of General Dynamics, to be used as an intercontinental ballistic missile...
.
Design and specifications
The combustion chambers of the RD-180 share a single turbopump unit, much like in its predecessor, the four-chambered RD-170RD-170 (rocket engine)
The RD-170 is the world's most powerful liquid-fuel rocket engine, designed and produced in the USSR by NPO Energomash for use with Energia launch vehicle...
. The RD-180 is fueled by a kerosene
RP-1
RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as a rocket fuel. Although having a lower specific impulse than liquid hydrogen , RP-1 is cheaper, can be stored at room temperature, is far less of an explosive hazard and is far denser...
/liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
mixture and uses an extremely efficient, high-pressure staged combustion cycle
Staged combustion cycle (rocket)
The staged combustion cycle, also called topping cycle or pre-burner cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle of bipropellant rocket engines. Some of the propellant is burned in a pre-burner and the resulting hot gas is used to power the engine's turbines and pumps...
. The engine runs with an oxidizer to fuel ratio of 2.72 and (like its progenitor the RD-170) is unique in that it employs an oxygen-rich preburner, unlike typical fuel-rich US designs. The thermodynamics of the cycle allow a oxygen-rich preburner to give a greater power-to-weight ratio, but with the drawback that high pressure, high temperature gaseous oxygen must be transported throughout the engine. The movements of the engine nozzles are controlled by four hydraulic actuators. Another unique feature of RD-180 is its capability of being throttled from 40% to 100% of rated thrust.
Applications
During the early 1990s General DynamicsGeneral Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
Space Systems Division (later purchased by Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
) acquired the rights to use the RD-180 in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and the Atlas program. As these programs were conceived to support United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government launches as well as commercial launches, it was also arranged for the RD-180 to be co-produced by Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
. However all production to date has taken place in Russia. The engine is currently sold by a joint venture between the Russian developer and producer of the engine NPO Energomash
NPO Energomash
NPO Energomash “V. P. Glushko” is a Russian manufacturer originated from design bureau, which focuses primarily on the development and production of liquid propellant rocket engines. NPO Energomash is based in Moscow, with satellite facilities in Samara, Perm, and St. Petersburg, and employs close...
and Pratt & Whitney, called RD AMROSS
RD AMROSS
RD AMROSS, a limited liability company, is a U.S. joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne of West Palm Beach, Florida and NPO Energomash of Khimki, Russia based in Jupiter, Florida....
.
The RD-180 was first deployed on the Atlas IIA-R vehicle, which was the Atlas IIA vehicle with the Russian (hence the R) engine replacing the previous main engine. This vehicle was later renamed the Atlas III. An additional development program was undertaken to certify the engine for use on the modular Common Core Booster
Common Core Booster
A modular rocket is a type of multistage rocket which features components that can be interchanged for specific mission requirements. Several such rockets use similar concepts such as unified modules to minimize expenses on manufacturing, transportation and for optimization of support...
primary stage of the Atlas V rocket.
Prospective uses
RD-180 was planned to be used with a new family of Rus-MRus-M
Rus-M was a proposed launcher design which was intended to become Russia's main launch vehicle for manned spaceflight after 2018, and an integral part of the Prospective Piloted Transport System which included a new manned spacecraft being developed to replace the Soyuz.Rus-M was being developed by...
Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n space launch vehicles, proposed by Roskosmos contractors, but the program was canceled in October 2011.
Jerry Grey, a consultant to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Universities Space Research Association and a former professor of aerospace engineering at Princeton University, suggested using the RD-180 for a prospective NASA heavy-lift launch vehicle. For those who might be concerned about too much reliance on Russia, he pointed out that RD Amross was "very close to producing a U.S.-built version of the RD-180, and with some infusion of NASA funding could be manufacturing that engine (and perhaps even a 1700000 lbf (7.6 MN) thrust equivalent of the RD-170) in a few years."
Despite the availability of necessary documentation and legal rights for producing RD-180 in the United States, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
is considering to develop an indigenous core stage engine that would be "capable of generating high levels of thrust approximately equal to or exceeding the performance of the Russian-built engine." NASA intends to produce a fully operational engine by 2020, or sooner if it can establish a partnership with the U.S. Defense Department.
See also
- Staged combustion cycleStaged combustion cycle (rocket)The staged combustion cycle, also called topping cycle or pre-burner cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle of bipropellant rocket engines. Some of the propellant is burned in a pre-burner and the resulting hot gas is used to power the engine's turbines and pumps...
used in engine - RD-191RD-191The RD-191 is a high performance single-combustion chamber rocket engine, developed in Russia. It is derived from the RD-170 originally used in the Energia launcher....
derivative engine being developed for the Angara rocket - RD-0124RD-0124The RD-0124 is a rocket engine burning liquid oxygen and kerosene in a staged combustion cycle. RD-0124 engines are used on the Soyuz-2.1b. A modification of the engine will also be used on the second stage of some rockets in the planned Angara rocket family...
used in the Soyuz-2.1b - RD-107RD-107The RD-107 is a type of rocket engine initially used to launch R-7 Semyorka missiles. RD-107 engines were later used on space launch vehicles based on the R-7...
used in the R-7 SemyorkaR-7 SemyorkaThe R-7 was a Soviet missile developed during the Cold War, and the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. The R-7 made 28 launches between 1957 and 1961, but was never deployed operationally. A derivative, the R-7A, was deployed from 1960 to 1968...
missiles and Soyuz FG - RD-58RD-58The RD-58 is a rocket engine, developed in the 1960s by OKB-1, now RKK Energia. The project was managed by Mikhail Melnikov The engine was initially created to power the Block D stage of the Soviet Union's abortive N-1 rocket. Derivatives of this stage are now used as upper stages on some Proton...
upper stage RP-1RP-1RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as a rocket fuel. Although having a lower specific impulse than liquid hydrogen , RP-1 is cheaper, can be stored at room temperature, is far less of an explosive hazard and is far denser...
/LOXLoxLox is salmon fillet that has been cured. In its most popular form, it is thinly sliced—less than in thickness—and, typically, served on a bagel, often with cream cheese, onion, tomato, cucumber and capers...
engine used in the N-1 rocket, derivatives used in the Proton and Zenit rockets - RD-8RD-8 (rocket engine)For the Dominican Republic national highway #8 see DR-8The RD-8 engine was developed by Yuzhnoye Design Bureau for the second stage of the Zenit rocket. It has four hinged chambers and a single turbopump unit. The fuel pair is LOX/kerosene...
used in the Zenit rocket