@8BitCosmonaut what happened to the rocket engine?

[Lt. Snakestrike]

so the hard part is transportation of fuel/oxidizers because they are regulated.....

Not exactly hard since it's so common, but that's the barrier to entry. Same goes for high-power amateur rocket motors.

 

[Lt. Snakestrike]

so, what degree do you need to make a rocket and rocket engine and a power plant (using solar heat concentrator things, copper tubing in a black box with low e glass on one side, going into a steam engine or steam turbine)

Umm, what exactly is your plan with that? Steam propulsion?

 

[TtTOtW]

Umm, what exactly is your plan with that? Steam propulsion?

Flying 1899 train jk it would be unique though, the concept is actually out there but is not in use.

 

[Mars Pathfinder]

Umm, what exactly is your plan with that? Steam propulsion?

Steampunk Era Rocket

 

[Lt. Snakestrike]

Flying 1899 train jk it would be unique though, the concept is actually out there but is not in use.

There's a good reason for that. It requires a ridiculous amount of pressure. Pressure feds are bad enough when you have a bi-prop. With a monoprop though, it requires so much more to get the same results.

 

[Mars Pathfinder]

There's a good reason for that. It requires a ridiculous amount of pressure. Pressure feds are bad enough when you have a bi-prop. With a monoprop though, it requires so much more to get the same results.

is the pressure fed has disadvantages right??
like limited pressure it can go..... right??

 

[TtTOtW]

is the pressure fed has disadvantages right??
like limited pressure it can go..... right??

It has very high ISP. BUT, very high mass and low thrust.

 

[Marmilo]

It has very high ISP

Seriously? Where does it get all that exhaust velocity from?

 

[TtTOtW]

Seriously? Where does it get all that exhaust velocity from?

Superheating water has surprising amounts of energy available.

 

[Marmilo]

Superheating water has surprising amounts of energy available.

But this

very high ISP

is very high compared to which rocket engines?
Cause I can't imagine a pressure-fed monopropellant engine more efficient than a RP-1 engine.

 

[Roger Jolly]

I’m gathering the gross thrust production of steam is highly efficient but the net thrust is low because the equipment is necessarily heavy as hell

 

[TtTOtW]

But this

is very high compared to which rocket engines?
Cause I can't imagine a pressure-fed monopropellant engine more efficient than a RP-1 engine.

Forgive me, my memory had it the wrong way around. Low ISP, but low weight too.

 

[Lt. Snakestrike]

Forgive me, my memory had it the wrong way around. Low ISP, but low weight too.
View attachment 44488

Now ya got it.

 

[Roger Jolly]

Forgive me, my memory had it the wrong way around. Low ISP, but low weight too.
View attachment 44488

So it’s good for moving around microgravity?
Low tech alternative to ions for belter trash rock hoppers maybe

 

[TtTOtW]

So it’s good for moving around microgravity?
Low tech alternative to ions for belter trash rock hoppers maybe

Lol, shut up XD

 

[Earl]

I actually read something on steam powered rocket engines recently. The main issue is how you actually heat the water. I doubt it would be very useful, at least if it's actually on a rocket. If you're just doing it for shits and giggles then why not?
But from what I've heard it takes a lot of power to use them , meaning lots of batteries. So unless you want the ion engine equivalent of a crappy chinese knockoff, I'd stick to a more standard propulsion mechanism.

 

[dlanm2u]

Nah it’s for generating energy (steam turbine)

 

[Roger Jolly]

How about direct solar heating for craft in the inner solar system, eh?
Course native water would be scarce

Was also thinking equipment mass could be conserved with a low pressure tank feeding a tiny pressure tank/engine with a pump