F-1 (rocket engine)

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Wernher von Braun in front of the first stage of the Saturn V rocket with a total of five F-1 engines
Test facility

The F-1 is a rocket engine that was developed by the American manufacturer Rocketdyne . It was developed in response to a request from the US Air Force in 1955 for a very powerful liquid rocket engine. The engine was eventually used in the first stage of the Saturn V rocket .

history

There were initially two drafts. The E-1 was tested, but not pursued because it had little technological potential. The F-1 should run on liquid oxygen and RP-1 . The development was initially stopped by the Air Force because no need for such a powerful engine was seen.

The newly founded NASA let the development continue. The first complete test engine could be ignited as early as March 1959. The tests showed instabilities in the combustion process in the combustion chamber , which could, however, be eliminated in a lengthy development process. In addition to being used in the first stage of the Saturn V, it should also be used in the even larger Nova rocket .

The F-1 was further developed during the 1960s. The so-called F-1A engine was lighter and delivered 9.1 mega - newtons (MN), about 30% more thrust. However, it was not used.

Technical specifications

  • Thrust: 6.67 MN (from Apollo 9: 6.77 MN, from Apollo 15: 6.91 MN)
  • Burning time: 150 s
  • Fuel consumption: 2577 kg / s
  • Specific impulse : 2.55 kN · s / kg
  • Dry weight: 8353 kg
  • Operating weight: 9115 kg
  • Turbopump output : 40.4 MW
  • Height: 5.6 m
  • Diameter: 3.7 m

See also

Web links

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