LH2 / LOX

Overview

Liquid hydrogen burned with liquid oxygen — the highest-performing chemical propellant by specific impulse, but low-density and deeply cryogenic. Used by the RS-25, RL10, Vulcain, and LE-7/LE-9.

Knowledge connections

• Propellant ofS-II (Saturn V second stage)
• Propellant ofS-IVB (Saturn upper stage)
• Propellant ofSLS Core Stage
• Propellant ofAriane 5 core stage (EPC)
• Propellant ofJ-2
• Propellant ofRS-25
• Propellant ofRS-68
• Propellant ofRL10
• Propellant ofVulcain 2
• Propellant ofVinci
• Propellant ofHM7B
• Propellant ofBE-3
• Propellant ofYF-77
• Propellant ofLE-7A
• Propellant ofLE-9
• Propellant ofCE-20
• Associated withPropellant Depot
• Associated withCryogenic Fuel Storage
• Associated withOrbital Refuelling
• Associated withSpecific Impulse

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

• NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

  Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.