4 ms·
The N1 used closed loop cycles, which was something new at the time and was a lot harder to get right. Also the n1 had some 30 engines that all had to operate p
by computerex 8y ago
The N1 used closed loop cycles, which was something new at the time and was a lot harder to get right. Also the n1 had some 30 engines that all had to operate perfectly so the inherent risk of failure was higher. The rocket was never even man rated.
- avmich 8y agoUSA rocketry school tradition of counting engines by chambers makes R-7 a rocket which uses 32 engines at liftoff 4 main chambers for each of 4 RD-107 and 1 RD-108 (20 chambers) and 12 steering chambers (each with about 3 tons of thrust, about as much as a chamber of British Gamma-8 engine) - more than N-1. Yet R-7 is a pretty reliable rocket overall. Also Falcon Heavy has 27 engines, which not too many complain about. No, engines didn't need to operate perfectly. N-1 has less gross liftoff mass (GLOM) than Saturn-5, yet N-1 had higher liftoff trust. That's partially because it was supposed to complete the mission with up to 4 engines out during flight.