3 ms·

Why can they only throttle to 70%? Is that related to old-school turbopumps?

• Mvandenbergh 13y ago
  Most rocket engines don't throttle down well. The main reason isn't the turbopumps (although that can also be an issue) but combustion instabilities in the chamber and flow separation in the nozzle. Nasa overview of liquid engine throttling: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20100033271.pdf http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/2010003...
  • Serow225 13y ago
    That's a very readable reference, thanks.
  • grinich 13y ago
    Exactly the answer I was looking for-- thanks!