Pratt & Whitney RL10A-3
The RL10A-3 is an early hydrogen and oxygen upper-stage engine used on Centaur and Saturn I’s S-IV stage. This reconstruction shows its fixed-nozzle configuration.
- Engine cycle
- Expander cycle
- Fuel
- Liquid hydrogen
- Oxidizer
- Liquid oxygen
NASA · RL10 engineRL10A-3
OxidizerFuel / fuel-rich gas
RL10A-3
Select a part to explore its role in the flow diagram.
RL10A-3
Real hardware, from assembly to flight. Explore the engines and the rockets they power.
EnlargeJuly 13, 2017 · Cape CanaveralCentaur, ready to join Atlas V
The RL10-powered Centaur upper stage is positioned for mating to the Atlas V booster for the TDRS-M mission.
EnlargeJuly 25, 1990 · CRRES missionAtlas-Centaur takes flight
Atlas-Centaur launches the CRRES satellite. The RL10 engines power the Centaur upper stage later in flight; the liftoff plume comes from Atlas.
