COMMON EXTENSIBLE
CRYOGENIC ENGINE
Extending the capability of the past for exploration
in the future.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne was contracted by NASA to develop the Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine (CECE), a deep-throttling 15,000 pound thrust class demonstrator rocket engine. A mixture of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fueled the CECE.
Cryogenic propulsion is a key capability required to execute and support a variety of in-space applications, including human-lunar landings, in-space transfer systems and the exploration of Mars.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has extensive experience in cryogenic propulsion. The CECE benefited from the fundamental design of the RL10, which has earned a reputation of being one of the most reliable, safe and high-performing cryogenic upper stage engines ever developed. The RL10 is currently in production for service on the Atlas and Delta launch vehicles.
The CECE leverages the performance and reliability benefits of the RL10, offering NASA an affordable, low-risk solution to securing propulsion systems for use across multiple mission segments.
Photos
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Specs
Earth Departures
- Propellants: H2 / O2
- Thrust: 22k–25k lb.
- Specific Impulse: 450–465 sec.
- Throttling: N/A
- Reliability: > 0.9995
- In-Space Starts (total): 50
- Service Life (total): 10,000 sec.
- Weight: 370–564 lb.
- Human Ratable: Yes
Base Demonstrator
- Propellants: H2 / O2
- Thrust: 15k lb.
- Specific Impulse: > 445 sec.
- Throttling: - 10–20:1
- Reliability: > 0.9995
- In-Space Starts (total): 50
- Service Life (total): 10,000 sec.
- Weight: 350 lb.
- Human Ratable: Yes
Methane Option
- Propellants: CH4 / O2
- Thrust: 15k lb.
- Specific Impulse: > 350 sec.
- Throttling: 3–5:1
- Reliability: > 0.9995
- In-Space Starts (total): 50
- Service Life (total): 10,000 sec.
- Weight: 370–564 lb. 350 lb.
- Human Ratable: Yes