Question on LV-N Atomic Rocket Engine

[Herbin]

What's the deal w/ this one? The stat sheet on it doesn't look very good at all. Or am I just not understanding something about it ? ( I'm not running any mods either , just vanilla KSP )

Edited July 30, 2013 by Herbin

[annallia]

What stats about it don't look good? Only down side to it that I see is its minimal thrust (it does have a slight heat problem but in space it seems to be ok).

Best if used in vacuum. Once out of the atmo it has the best fuel efficiency around.

[Herbin]

Ahhh. Good to know. I was wondering what to even use it for

[astropapi1]

People use it for efficent interplanetary transfers. The most efficent one is the ion thruster, but most of us don't have the patience for a long transfer using it.

[Tw1]

It's actually a very useful engine, you can get more than double the delta V from using it. As astropapi1 says, it's commonly used on interplanetary vessels, or to get every last bit out of the fuel.

"You are a very useful engine"

[lammatt]

wow...

this is the first time i hear someone says LV-N is bad.

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nah... it's super useful

look at the 800s specific impulse

[Enigma179]

What's the deal w/ this one? The stat sheet on it doesn't look very good at all. Or am I just not understanding something about it ? ( I'm not running any mods either , just vanilla KSP )

Essentially if you're planning on going interplanetary you're going to want it. The important stat on it is the ISP; the higher that value is for a rocket, the more total thrust it can produce with the same amount of fuel. Those giant mainsails can produce a lot of thrust, but to go the same distance as a nuclear engine they'd require a lot more fuel, it's just that the NERVA takes longer. But one of the shortest planetary transfers, to Duna takes 30 or so days so you have plenty of time and the efficiency is well worth it

[strongest_2hu]

You have to be careful as it's pretty heavy, there's some limit to how light your craft can get before it becomes more efficient to use a lighter engine (there's a chart floating around somewhere). For big craft with lots of fuel it simply can't be beat.