Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!ucselx!crash!pro-canaveral.cts.com!gandalf
From: gandalf@pro-canaveral.cts.com (Ken Hollis)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re : SSME Vs. F-1
Message-ID: <6241@crash.cts.com>
Date: 10 Dec 90 22:36:10 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 43

Greetings and Salutations:

From: francis@cs.ua.oz.au (Francis Vaughan)
>Subject: Re: Re : SSME's (again...) + F-1s
>
>This discussion about redesign of parts of the SSMEs makes me
>rather curious about a few things. So far we have seen a new engine
 .
 .
 .
>Remember we have a proven overall design. We know that the F-1
>worked. In principle the old F-1 plus new turbopumps would fly,
>same after a new combustion chamber etc. Suddenly we have a new
>improved MANUFACTURABLE F-1.

Yes, in theory, you could remanufacture the F-1 to take the place of the
SRB's.  In theory (and I have actually seen this in practice) you can use
Lotus 1-2-3 for word processing also.  The F-1's were one time, throw away
engines.  They also used LOX & RP-1 (essentially kerosene) for fuel.  You also
are looking for a "good" specific impulse, Is = F/W  where "Is" is Specific
Impulse, "F" is thrust, "W" is propellant consumption i.e. Steady Weight Flow
Rate (lb/sec).  Basically what it boils down to is that LH2 has a much better
"W" than RP-1 because of the density of the fuels and the energy released. 
For the Atlas using RP-1 the Is = 290 seconds.  For the Saturn V first stage
using RP-1 the Is = 300 seconds.  For the Saturn V second & third stage using
LH2 the Is = 425 seconds, and for the SSME the Is = 455 seconds.

If you are interested in the design of liquid rocket engines, I suggest
"Design Of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines" NASA Publication "NASA SP-125",
1971, Scientific and Technical Information Office, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, Washington D.C.

I know the SRB's are bad enough about exhaust, but the way the
environmentalists have been acting lately, they probably would scream if a
"new generation" launch vehicle was made with complex carbons to kill the
ozone even more (Of course I am not sure if they have started thinking about
this angle yet...).  

Ken Hollis

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