The primary Soviet rocket engines in the early days of the Space Race were the “RD-107″ and “RD-108″. These were basically “sister” designs, each with four thrust chambers and a single turbopump, differing in that the RD-107 had two vernier engines, while the RD-108 had four. They both produced 907.4 kN (92,500 kgp /...
While conventional chemical rocket engines continue to be refined, work has also been performed on new configurations, such as the “linear aerospike” and “rocket-based combined cycle” engines. NASA was working with private industry on an aerospike engine for the cancelled X-33 experimental reusable launch vehicle. An aerospike engine is very different in appearance from...