Editing RP-1 (section)

{{short description|Highly refined form of kerosene used as rocket fuel}}
{{About|the rocket fuel|the protein|RP1|other uses|RP 1 (disambiguation){{!}}RP 1}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
[[File:RP-1 .jpg| thumb|alt=Photo of person holding flask containing reddish liquid|About {{convert|2|l|gal|frac=2|abbr=off|spell=in}} of RP-1]]

'''RP-1''' ('''Rocket Propellant-1''' or '''Refined Petroleum-1''') and similar fuels like '''RG-1''' and '''T-1''' are highly refined [[kerosene]] formulations used as [[rocket fuel]]. [[Liquid-fueled rockets]] that use RP-1 as fuel are known as [[kerolox]] rockets. In their engines, RP-1 is [[Spray nozzle|atomized]], mixed with [[liquid oxygen]] (LOX), and ignited to produce thrust. Developed in the 1950s, RP-1 is outwardly similar to other kerosene-based fuels like [[Jet A]] and [[JP-8]] used in [[turbine engines]] but is manufactured to stricter standards. While RP-1 is widely used globally, the primary rocket kerosene formulations in Russia and other former Soviet countries are RG-1 and T-1, which have slightly higher densities.

Compared to other rocket fuels, RP-1 provides several advantages with a few tradeoffs. Compared to [[liquid hydrogen]], it offers a lower [[specific impulse]], but can be stored at ambient temperatures, has a lower explosion risk, and although its [[specific energy]] is lower, its higher density results in greater [[energy density]]. Compared to [[hydrazine]], another liquid fuel that can be stored at ambient temperatures, RP-1 is far less [[toxic]] and [[carcinogenic]].