Space Shuttle Main Engine
Nasa is planning to continue using the rs 25 on the space shuttle s successor the space launch system sls.
Space shuttle main engine. The aerojet rocketdyne rs 25 otherwise known as the space shuttle main engine ssme is a liquid fuel cryogenic rocket engine that was used on nasa s space shuttle and is planned to be used on its successor the space launch system built in the united states by rocketdyne the rs 25 burns cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants with each engine producing 1 859 kn 418 000 lb. The aerojet rocketdyne rs 25 also known as the space shuttle main engine ssme is a liquid fuel cryogenic rocket engine that was used on nasa s space shuttle. Although not the most powerful rocket engine ever flown the space shuttle main engine ssme burned fuel more efficiently than many of its predecessors.
The rs 25 evolved from aerojet rocketdyne s space shuttle main engine ssme that successfully powered 135 flights of the space shuttle. Each space shuttle main engine operates at a liquid oxygen liquid hydrogen mixture ratio of 6 to 1 to produce a sea level thrust of 179 097 kilograms 375 000 pounds and a vacuum thrust of 213 188 470 000 pounds. The space transportation system includes the orbiter which is what people usually think of as the space shuttle connected to a large external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters.
Developed in the 1970s by the marshall space flight center the space shuttle main engine was the world s most sophisticated reusable rocket engine. The engine underwent five major upgrades during its life on shuttle each time incorporating the modern technologies and innovations and each time demonstrating major improvements in safety and reliability. Unlike all of nasa s liquid fuel rocket engines the ssme was reusable.
Space shuttle main engine ssme.