// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Kerolox
Kerolox is a common rocket propellant combination that uses refined kerosene, typically RP-1, as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. It's widely used because it offers a good balance of performance, cost, and reliability.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Kerolox is a bipropellant rocket system that combines RP-1 (Rocket Propellant-1), a highly refined form of kerosene, as the fuel with cryogenic liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer, frequently employed in launch vehicles such as Soyuz, Atlas V, and Falcon 9 for its moderate specific impulse, high density, and operational stability.
BACKGROUND
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. (Firefly) is an American aerospace firm based in Cedar Park, Texas. Firefly develops small- and medium-lift launch vehicles for commercial launches to orbit. Firefly's stated purpose is to increase access to space, similar to other private spaceflight companies.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- RP-1/LOX
- Kerosene/LOX
- LOX/Kerosene
- Kero/LOX
USAGE NOTE
Kerolox propellants are extensively used in the first stages of many orbital launch vehicles due to their energetic performance, relative ease of handling (for kerosene), and cost-effectiveness.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Kerolox.
Develops and operates the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, both of which utilize Kerolox (RP-1/LOX) propellant in their Merlin engines for all stages.
A leading Russian manufacturer of liquid-propellant rocket engines, including the Kerolox-fueled RD-180 (used on ULA's Atlas V) and RD-191 (used on Russia's Angara rocket).
Operates the Atlas V launch vehicle, which relies on the Russian-built Kerolox-fueled RD-180 engine for its first stage.
The primary contractor for the Chinese space program, responsible for developing and manufacturing the Long March family of rockets, many of which use Kerolox-fueled YF-100 series engines.
Develops and operates launch vehicles like the PSLV and GSLV, which incorporate Kerolox-fueled Vikas engines (a derivative of the Viking engine) for various stages.
The primary contractor for Japan's H-IIA and H-IIB rockets, which utilized the Kerolox-fueled LE-7A engine for their first stages.
Develops and operates the Alpha launch vehicle, which uses Kerolox (RP-1/LOX) propellant in its Reaver engines for the first stage and Lightning engines for the second stage.