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RS-25 (SSME) vs RD-0120 efficiency
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Topic: RS-25 (SSME) vs RD-0120 efficiency (Read 2838 times)
jurgennasaspaceflight
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RS-25 (SSME) vs RD-0120 efficiency
«
on:
06/25/2025 04:19 pm »
What if RS-25 (SSME) and RD-0120 had the same thrust and weight hypothetically, which one would have been more efficient based on their specific impulse?
Isp for RS-25 (SSME) is 366s sea level 452.3s vacuum
Isp for RD-0120 is 354s sea level 455s vacuum
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Hog
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Re: RS-25 (SSME) vs RD-0120 efficiency
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Reply #1 on:
07/04/2025 05:23 pm »
First of all, welcome to NASA Space Flight.com.
Second, your question.
Assuming test stand conditions:
engine mass doesn't matter
The engine with greater Isp would be the more efficient engine because Specific Impulse is actually ""a measure of how efficiently a reaction mass engine, such as a rocket using propellant generates thrust. "" source:Wiki's Specific Impulse page.
In summation, assuming your numbers are correct, it appears that the RS-25 is more efficient than the RD-0120 down at Sea Level whilst the RD-0120 is more efficient than the RS-25 when operating in vacuum.
attachment
1) just a slide with some modern RS-25D Isp, thrust, service life as used for STS and for SLS Adaptation and Restart engines
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Paul
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