Sylvie Willis
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers are a type of thruster that burns hydrogen gas as fuel to propel a starship. They are notable for their ability to work well in both space and atmospheric environments, making them ideal for shuttles. However, they have some disadvantages, including high fuel consumption and the need for bulky and explosive hydrogen tanks. The hydrogen engine produces 10 kW of power per L/s of hydrogen, and players must carefully manage their fuel supply and thruster configuration to optimize their performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How they work | They burn hydrogen gas as fuel, instead of using battery or reactor power. |
| Advantages | Consistent acceleration and strength; work equally well in space and in the atmosphere. |
| Disadvantages | Must be connected to a large source of hydrogen, which adds extra mass, volume, and conveyor tubing to the ship. Hydrogen tanks are bulky and explosive. They consume fuel at a very high rate. |
| Fuel source | Hydrogen gas, stored in a hydrogen tank. |
| Fuel efficiency | Less fuel-efficient than atmospheric and ion thrusters. |
| Engine power | The Hydrogen Engine produces 10 kW of power per L/s of Hydrogen. |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydrogen thrusters burn hydrogen gas as fuel, not battery or reactor power
- Hydrogen tanks are needed to store and distribute hydrogen fuel
- Hydrogen thrusters are less fuel-efficient than atmospheric and ion thrusters
- Hydrogen engines produce 10 kW of power per L/s of hydrogen
- Hydrogen thrusters are ideal for shuttles due to their consistent acceleration and versatility
Hydrogen thrusters burn hydrogen gas as fuel, not battery or reactor power
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers are a unique type of thruster that burns hydrogen gas as fuel, instead of relying on battery or reactor power. This gives them some distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to other thruster types.
The primary benefit of hydrogen thrusters is their consistent acceleration and strength, which remains constant whether they are used in space or within a planetary atmosphere. This makes them ideal for shuttle craft, which need to operate in both environments. Additionally, hydrogen thrusters provide the best thrust-per-volume and thrust-per-surface-area of any thruster type in the game.
However, hydrogen thrusters also have some notable drawbacks. Firstly, they consume fuel at a very high rate, and the hydrogen tanks required to fuel them are bulky and explosive. This adds significant mass and volume to a ship, reducing the overall efficiency of the thrusters. Hydrogen thrusters are also less fuel-efficient than atmospheric or ion thrusters, and they require a constant supply of hydrogen, which must be generated on-board the ship using an O2/H2 generator and ice.
Despite their fuel consumption and efficiency disadvantages, hydrogen thrusters can be a viable option for players in Space Engineers. With careful management of fuel resources and an understanding of their performance characteristics, players can take advantage of the high thrust and versatility that hydrogen thrusters offer.
In conclusion, hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers offer a unique set of capabilities that can be leveraged for specific applications, particularly for shuttle craft that require operation in both space and atmospheric environments. While they present challenges in terms of fuel consumption and ship design, careful consideration of their advantages can make them a powerful tool for players navigating the challenges of space exploration and survival.
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Hydrogen tanks are needed to store and distribute hydrogen fuel
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers burn hydrogen gas as fuel instead of using battery or reactor power. They are known for their consistent acceleration and strength and their ability to work equally well in space and in the atmosphere. However, they require a large source of hydrogen, which means that hydrogen-powered ships need additional components like Hydrogen Tanks and O2/H2 Generators filled with ice.
Hydrogen tanks are essential for storing and distributing hydrogen fuel in Space Engineers. They are functional blocks that work in conjunction with Hydrogen Thrusters to provide the necessary propulsion for spaceships. While hydrogen has the highest energy per mass of any fuel, its low ambient temperature density results in low energy per unit volume. This means that storing and transporting hydrogen fuel presents significant challenges.
One method of storing hydrogen is in a compressed gas state, which typically requires high-pressure tanks with tank pressures ranging from 350 to 700 bar (5,000 to 10,000 psi). This storage method is commonly used in industry and space programs, but the very low boiling point of hydrogen (-252.882 °C or -423.188 °F) poses challenges. Achieving such low temperatures requires a significant amount of energy, impacting the efficiency of the overall system.
Another approach is to store hydrogen as a cryogenic liquid, which requires cryogenic temperatures due to hydrogen's extremely low boiling point. This method has been demonstrated to achieve a high driving range, with a Toyota Prius equipped with a cryo-compressed tank reaching over 650 miles (1,050 km) on a full tank. Additionally, hydrogen can be stored on the surfaces or within solids through adsorption or absorption, respectively.
The use of nanomaterials has been proposed as an alternative to traditional hydrogen storage systems, offering potential improvements in efficiency, size, and safe onboard storage of hydrogen gas. Additionally, chemical compounds that release H2 on demand, such as ammonia (NH3), provide high hydrogen storage densities and can be reformed to produce hydrogen without harmful waste. These advancements in hydrogen storage technology are crucial for the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, particularly in transportation applications.
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Hydrogen thrusters are less fuel-efficient than atmospheric and ion thrusters
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers are unique in that they offer consistent acceleration and strength and work equally well in space and in the atmosphere. However, they are less fuel-efficient than atmospheric and ion thrusters.
The Hydrogen Engine produces 10 kW of power per L/s of Hydrogen, which is far less efficient than the alternative thruster types. For example, a SG large battery, which is 3x2x3 (18 blocks of volume), can store 1 MWh of power or 55.5 kWh per block, 3375 times as much energy density as a tank of hydrogen. When compared to the hydrogen engine, hydrogen thrusters are 5-25 times less efficient, depending on the alternative thruster being considered.
The low storage density of hydrogen means that hydrogen-powered craft often require additional O2/H2 generators and ice to fuel them, increasing mass and reducing net thrust. This setup adds complexity to the ship's design, requiring conveyor systems to run to all thrusters, further diminishing returns.
In contrast, atmospheric and ion thrusters are much more efficient. Atmospheric thrusters rely on the density of the current atmosphere, while ion thrusters require electricity and are ideal for space exploration. Although ion thrusters are the most expensive to maintain, they offer superior fuel efficiency compared to hydrogen thrusters.
To optimise the use of hydrogen thrusters, players can employ strategies such as creating control groups for different thrusters and using the Increase and Decrease Thrust Override controls. Additionally, careful consideration of the ship's design and strategic placement of thrusters can help mitigate the fuel efficiency disadvantage of hydrogen thrusters.
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Hydrogen engines produce 10 kW of power per L/s of hydrogen
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers are a type of thruster that burns hydrogen gas as fuel to propel a starship. They are known for their consistent acceleration and strength and their ability to work equally well in space and in the atmosphere.
The Hydrogen Engine in Space Engineers produces 10 kW of power per L/s of hydrogen. This means that for every litre of hydrogen burned per second, 10 kilowatts of power are generated. This efficiency highlights the potential of hydrogen as a clean and powerful fuel source.
However, it is important to note that hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers also have some disadvantages. Firstly, they require a large source of hydrogen, which adds extra mass, volume, and complexity to the ship. Additionally, the low storage density of hydrogen means that hydrogen-driven craft often need an O2/H2 generator and ice to fuel them, further increasing the mass and reducing the net thrust advantage.
Despite these challenges, hydrogen thrusters offer above-average acceleration and versatility. With the right balance of components, they can be a viable option for propulsion in the game, especially for shuttles that require consistent performance in both space and atmospheric environments.
In the broader context of hydrogen engines, there have been advancements in hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (HICEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. HICEVs burn hydrogen fuel and offer zero-carbon emissions, while fuel cell vehicles utilize hydrogen electrochemically. Companies like Mazda, Yamaha, Honda, Toyota, and others have been actively developing hydrogen-powered engines and vehicles, showcasing the growing interest and potential of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source.
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Hydrogen thrusters are ideal for shuttles due to their consistent acceleration and versatility
Hydrogen thrusters in Space Engineers are an excellent choice for shuttles due to their consistent acceleration and versatility. They offer a unique advantage of consistent acceleration and strength, making them highly versatile and ideal for shuttle use. Unlike electric thrusters, they do not rely on battery or reactor power but instead burn hydrogen gas as fuel, allowing them to operate effectively in both space and atmospheric environments.
One of the key benefits of hydrogen thrusters is their ability to provide consistent acceleration. This means that shuttles can maintain a steady speed throughout their journey, which is crucial for efficient transportation. The consistent acceleration also contributes to smoother manoeuvring and enhances the overall performance of the shuttle.
Additionally, hydrogen thrusters offer versatility in their functionality. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including routine shuttle operations, combat manoeuvres, escaping a planet's gravity well, and avoiding cratering on re-entry. This adaptability makes them a valuable asset for any shuttle mission.
However, it is important to consider the drawbacks of hydrogen thrusters. They have a high fuel consumption rate, and the required hydrogen tanks are bulky and can take up valuable space. To address this, it is recommended to include O2/H2 generators on board, powered by ice, to ensure a steady supply of hydrogen fuel. Additionally, the extra mass, volume, and conveyor tubing required for hydrogen-powered systems can offset the benefits. Careful consideration and balance are necessary to maximize the advantages of hydrogen thrusters.
Despite these challenges, the above-average acceleration and versatility of hydrogen thrusters make them a powerful option for shuttles in Space Engineers. With the right optimizations, players can harness the consistent acceleration and versatility of hydrogen thrusters to enhance their shuttle's performance and adaptability.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydrogen thrusters are a type of thruster in the Space Engineers game that burns hydrogen gas as fuel, instead of using battery or reactor power.
Hydrogen thrusters require hydrogen to operate and can receive it through a powered conveyor system from a hydrogen tank. They work equally well in space and in the atmosphere, making them ideal for shuttles.
The advantages of hydrogen thrusters include their consistent acceleration and strength, and their ability to work well in both space and atmospheric environments. However, a disadvantage is that they must be connected to a large source of hydrogen, which adds extra mass, volume, and conveyor tubing to the ship. Additionally, hydrogen tanks are bulky and explosive, and hydrogen thrusters can be expensive to maintain.
To set up hydrogen thrusters, you need to build a hydrogen tank and an O2/H2 generator. The O2/H2 generator can be connected to the hydrogen tank to fill it with hydrogen, using ice as fuel. You can then connect the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen thrusters through the conveyor system.
To optimise the use of hydrogen thrusters, it is recommended to create control groups for different thrusters, such as lift-off thrusters and braking thrusters. You can also use the Increase and Decrease Thrust Override controls to adjust the thrust without needing to hold down the W key. Additionally, consider the strategic placement of thrusters, as they only provide direct linear thrust and do not apply torque or cause ship rotation.
