Merlin engine (rocket)

The Merlin engine is a lower stage gas generator cycle RP-1 kerosene/liquid oxygen turbopump-fed rocket engine. The Merlin engine was developed for use on the Falcon I and Falcon V rockets by SpaceX and is designed for sea recovery and reuse.

Engine details

Performance

Sea level thrust: 71,500 lbf (318 kN)
Vacuum thrust: 85,000 lbf (378 kN)
Sea level Isp: 261 lbf.s/lb (2.6 kNs/kg)
Vacuum Isp: 310 lbf.s/lb (3.0 kNs/kg)
Thrust-to-weight (fully accounted): 94

Note: performance specifications subject to change upon further testing

Operations

Fuel: RP-1 rocket grade kerosene
Oxidizer: Liquid oxygen

Sources and external resources

SpaceX Falcon engines page (http://www.spacex.com/index.html?section=falcon&content=http%3A//www.spacex.com/falcon_engines.php)

Retrieved from "http://www.centipedia.com/articles/Merlin_engine_%28rocket%29"

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