[net.space] Specific Impulse of SSMEs

OTA@S1-A@sri-unix (05/12/82)

From: Ted Anderson <OTA at S1-A>
The specific impulse of the Space Shuttle Main Engines is very close to
450 seconds.  There is some variation between engines and so forth, but I
think the variation amounts to less than 5 seconds.  I don't know the
number for the SRBs, but I'd estimate between 250 and 300 seconds.
	Ted Anderson

POURNE@MIT-MC@sri-unix (05/13/82)

From: Jerry E. Pournelle <POURNE at MIT-MC>
Jerry Kidd, who got a medal for his work on SSME, told me as we
watched the first Shuttle landing out at Edwards that the engine
was developing ~100 horsepower/lb.  Which is a impressive number...