// 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
Long March 10 or Changzheng 10 (CZ-10) is a family of three rockets under development by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology for crewed lunar missions, flights to the Tiangong space station, and commercial launches.
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.