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Rocket lab's Rutherford engine uses a closed cycle with battery powered fuel pumps. They were actually to fly an engine like this in their "electron" rocket, as
by tehsauce 8y ago
Rocket lab's Rutherford engine uses a closed cycle with battery powered fuel pumps. They were actually to fly an engine like this in their "electron" rocket, as early as 2017.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_(rocket_engine) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_(rocket_engine)
- wolf550e 8y agoThis is only viable for small engines, like expander cycle is only viable for small engines. The specific energy of electric batteries cannot compare to that of kerolox or methalox. Closed cycle is not a new idea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staged_combustion_cycle#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staged_combustion_cycle#Histor...
- twic 8y agoI still have a soft spot for expander cycles - they seem so elegant compared to staged combustion cycles, and apparently i am not the only person who thinks that: https://blogs.nasa.gov/J2X/2014/03/24/inside-the-leo-doghouse-the-art-of-expander-cycle-engines/ https://blogs.nasa.gov/J2X/2014/03/24/inside-the-leo-doghous...
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]