History

The RS-25 rocket engine, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), is a high-performance, reusable liquid-fuel engine that has played a crucial role in NASA’s space exploration programs. Developed in the 1970s for the Space Shuttle program, the RS-25 was designed to combine reusability with exceptional performance, making it a technological milestone in rocket propulsion. The engine uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer, operating as a staged combustion cycle engine to achieve high efficiency. Its thrust capability ranges from 375,000 to 512,300 pounds in vacuum, with a specific impulse of 453 seconds, making it one of the most efficient liquid-fuel engines ever built. The RS-25 powered all 135 Space Shuttle missions and is now being adapted for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), intended for deep space exploration. This adaptation includes upgrades for higher performance and modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring its legacy as a cornerstone of human spaceflight.

Specifications:

Trust: 2,279 kilonewtons kN (367,000 lbf) . (At sea level) Dry weight: 3,177 kg  (7,000 lb)

Item Description

Full SLA (Stereolithography) 3dprinted scale model kit with very high detail.
Includes detailed assembly instructions booklet also available as a PDF download.

Dimensions of finished model:
Height: 360mm (14.2in)
Width/Length: 200 x 200mm (7.9 x 7.9in)