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Exoplanetary jet engines? What want you mean brother? Okay, the title can be confusing, but the idea is simple: I suggest add special jet engines to fly in "no kerbal like" planets. The main problem of current jet engines is that only works in kerbin and laythe atmospheres. This is not really a problem, because has logic, jet engines works burning fuel, so need a oxygen atmosphere. However this do the planet exploration a little limited. My idea is add special engines fly in not-oxygen atmospheres. These are my ideas: 1. Propeller: It would be a basic device, obtained in the first tech slot with relation with aircraft propulsion (ie, in the same slot that the "basic jet engine". The propeller would have these disadvantages and advantages: + Propeller only needs electricity, and does not need fuel. + Propeller can work in any type of atmosphere (with notable density and pressure), because her propulsion is based by movement of such and not reaction. + Cheap. - Propeller generates very little mounts of propulsion (low isp), unable to obtain supersonic velocities (in kerbal are 300 m/s), also can not support these velocities (explodes or simply does not work) and suffer very big increase of temperature at these speeds, so only works in subsonic and transonic slow speeds. Also, propeller would require of special animation. 2. Dunian/Evenian jet engine: It would be a special engine capable to work in any atmosphere that would make use of two things: intake air and "alkaline fuel". What is alkaline fuel? This jet engine that I suggest is based in real design for mars exploration aircraft. The real version make use of the atmosphere air (that can be of any type, except helium) and magnesium. The magnesium has a big relation with solid fuel, in fact my first idea was make use of solid fuel, but I think that by utility has more sense add a new different fuel. Obviously "alkali fuel" does not fit much, it can be considered an aproximation of the final name, I am opened to suggestions to change the name. This jet engine would be obtained in a advanced tech slot, like advanced landing, hypersonic fly or super-heavy rockery. Disadvantages and advantages of the evenian/dunian jet engine: + Can work in any atmosphere. + Works as well as the "basic jet engine" (similar thrust) in Eve and Dune atmospheres. + Works as well as the cheap "turbofan engines" (similar thrust) in Kerbal and Laythe atmospheres. + Capable to obtain hypersonic speeds in cluster (in theory). - Works with 1/2 the "basic jet engine" power in Jool atmosphere. - Expensive as "RAPIER engine". - Heavy as "RAPIER engine". - Isp ever is minor to normal fuel-based jet engines, due to make use of alkaline fuel that is heavier. The addition of this new jet engine also implies the addition of "alkali fuel tanks" that are a little heavier than fuel tanks. Fount: http://www.wickmanspacecraft.com/marsjet.html Another alternative to "alkaline fuel" (if the idea of add a new material is not convincing), is the "solid fuel". 3. Nuclear jet engine: We have nuclear thermal rocket engines, why not nuclear jet engines? Nuclear jet engines would be heavy but would not make use of fuel, only intake air. Disadvantages and advantages of the nuclear jet engine: + Does not make use of any type of fuel, works in any atmosphere. + Capable to obtain hypersonic speeds in cluster (in theory). + Unlimited flight possibility. - Very heavy, like a "rocketmax engine". - Power of thrust similar or superior to "basic jet engine", difficulty to obtain big velocities. - Very expensive, like a nuclear thermal rocket engine or major. As last curiosity, this type of engine was in development in the past: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_aircraft NEW: 4. Joolian jet engine: A joolian would be similar to normal jet engine and dunian jet engine, but only can work in planets with hydrogen/fuel atmosphere. Wait a moment the only hydrogen planet that we have is jool. I can not support this thing due to her specific single use. Don't worry, be happy. Yes, we only have one fuel atmosphere planet, but is planned add two or three new gas giant in the future, in the update 1.1 or beyond. Fount: http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Planned_features#Celestial_bodies How the joolian jet engine would work? This engine would make use of the intake air in gas giant planets and liquid oxidizer. Disadvantages and advantages of the joolian jet engine: + Can work in gas giant atmospheres. + Works as well as the medium price "turbofan engine" (similar thrust) in Jool atmosphere. + Capable to obtain hypersonic speeds in cluster (in theory). - Only can work in gas giant atmospheres. - Expensive as "RAPIER engine". - Heavy as "RAPIER engine". - Isp ever is minor to normal fuel-based jet engines, due to make use of oxidizer that is heavier. The addition of this new jet engine also implies the addition of separed oxidizer tanks. Thanks for read.