RP-1
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Astronomy & Space
| Stands for | Rocket Propellant-1 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
RP-1 stands for Rocket Propellant-1, an astronomy & Space abbreviation.
Highly refined kerosene used as rocket fuel with liquid oxygen, prized for being dense, storable at room temperature and relatively cheap. RP-1 powered the Saturn V's first stage and fuels the Falcon 9 and Atlas V first stages.
Example: Each Falcon 9 first stage burns about 120 tonnes of RP-1 with roughly 2.3 times as much liquid oxygen by mass.
Usage notes
The name is also expanded as Refined Petroleum-1. It is purified to remove sulfur and compounds that would polymerize and clog cooling channels. Newer engines such as SpaceX's Raptor use methane instead, which burns cleaner and can in principle be made on Mars.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- NGC – New General Catalogue
- NS – Neutron star
- pc – Parsec
- PHA – Potentially hazardous asteroid
- QSO – Quasi-stellar object
- RA – Right ascension
- RTG – Radioisotope thermoelectric generator
- SETI – Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
- SKA – Square Kilometre Array
- SLS – Space Launch System
- SMBH – Supermassive black hole
- SN – Supernova