Cobra

Pratt and Whitney LOx/LH2 rocket engine. Design 2003. Proposed as a long-life, moderate-to high-thrust, reusable booster engine that incorporated a safe, low-cost, low-risk, LH2/LOX single burner, using a fuel-rich, staged combustion cycle.

In 2003 Pratt and Whitney and Aerojet teamed to provide a wide range of main propulsion options in support of NASA's conceptual second generation, reusable launch vehicles. Pratt and Whitney's experience in reusable rocket turbo-machinery and health and maintenance management systems used for jet engines complemented Aerojet's experience in combustion devices and the integration and production of large propulsion systems for the Titan family.

COBRA was proposed as a long-life, moderate-to high-thrust, reusable booster engine that incorporated a safe, low-cost, low-risk, LH2/LOX single burner, using a fuel-rich, staged combustion cycle. Mature, flight proven Space Shuttle Main Engine alternate turbopumps reduced technical, schedule, and programmatic risk while at the same time meeting safety and reliability goals.

Features of the engine included:

• Single pre-burner, fuel-rich staged combustion cycle
• Double containment, failsafe powerhead, hot gas system
• Incorporated flight-certified SSME Block II turbopumps
• Long-life, robust, milled-channel nozzle construction eliminated hot side weld joints
• Smooth start transients avoided life-limiting thermal stress
• Blanch-shielded, formed-platelet liner technology reduced hot wall stress
• Turbine inlet temperature reduced 500 deg F relative to the SSME, promoted longer life
• Integrated engine controls and health management system enhanced safety and maintainability
• Low development cost/risk based on use of flight-qualified hardware and mature technologies
• Thrust (vac): 200,000-1,000,000 lbf
• Dry Weight (at 600k thrust): 8,000 lbm
• Specific impulse (vac): 455 sec
• Cycle: Staged combustion
• Propellants: Liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen
• Mixture ratio: 5.5:1 to 6.5:1
• Shutdown reliability: 0.9995
• Catastrophic reliability: 0.999995
• Mission life: > 100 missions
• Time between overhauls: > 50 missions
• Scheduled maintenance per flight: < 100 man-hours
• Turnaround between flights: < 16 hours

An engine that could meet these specifications would be what the SSME was originally designed to be. Whether this was technically possible was another matter…

Engine: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Oxidizer to Fuel Ratio: 6.