Atmospheric Thruster
- This article is about the 1x1x3 block. For all types of atmospheric thrusters, see Atmospheric Thrusters.
| Atmospheric Thruster | |
|---|---|
| |
| Function: | Atmospheric thrusters can only function in planetary atmospheres. ... |
| DLC? | Vanilla |
| Fits small grid | |
| Mass: | 699 kg |
| Hitpoints: | 1770 |
| Power: | -0.600 MW |
| Force: | 96000 N |
| PCU: | 15 |
| Size: | 1x1x3 |
| Time to Build: | 10 sec |
| Fits large grid | |
| Mass: | 4000 kg |
| Hitpoints: | 10180 |
| Power: | -2.4 MW |
| Force: | 648000 N |
| PCU: | 15 |
| Size: | 1x1x3 |
| Time to Build: | 40 sec |
| Data Controls: | [purge] (?)) |
The 
Atmospheric Thruster is a small thruster block that can operate only within the atmospheres of planets.
The 
Sci-Fi Atmospheric Thruster (which redirects here) is a DLC variant of the Atmospheric Thruster that you can place only if you own the Sparks of the Future Pack. It has the same usage, properties, and recipe.
Usage
Atmospheric thrusters can be used on all planets with thick enough atmospheres (regardless of oxygen level). If you choose to include them on a shuttle, consider switching them off once you have reached space to save power.
Atmospheric thrusters are the most efficient source of thrust in an atmosphere, better than hydrogen thrusters. Another advantage is their low cost. They do not require expensive 
Thruster Components, and you can build their components with basic resources found on planets. They do not use fuel and require only Power to operate.
Their main disadvantage is the futility of using them in space, on moons, and asteroids. While transitioning to space, they slowly lose all thrust. At sea level, the efficiency of a small-grid small atmo thruster is ~90% (~88 kN) and it decreases gradually to 0% = 0kN as you fly higher and leave the atmosphere.
Gallery
You can recognize Atmospheric Thrusters by their white flame on the backside and turbine on the front side.
A planetary shuttle using Atmospheric Thrusters.
Construction
If you have Progression on, you must build a cockpit or Remote Control first to unlock atmospheric thrusters. The blocks only attach to other blocks on the four sides of the end that has the turbine. The exhaust coming from the thruster end damages blocks, so keep these ends clear. Usually you need thrust in six directions, but on planets with enough pull, you can risk skipping down thrust and letting gravity do the work. This saves you one set of rarely used thrusters, but forces you to keep the ship level at all times to componsate.
Recipe
| Atmospheric Thruster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
 Steel Plate | 15 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
 Motor | 110 | — | 18 | — |
 Metal Grid | 10 | — | 1 | — |
 Large Steel Tube | 8 | — | 1 | — |
 Construction Comp. | 30 | 20 | 20 | 2 |
Projector
Sensor
Automaton Sensor
Sound Block
Timer Block
Programmable Block
Control Panel
Control Panel Pedestal
Button Panel
Vertical Button Panel
Sci-Fi One-Button Terminal
Sci-Fi Four-Button Panel
Sci-Fi Control Panel
Inset Button Panel
Button Panel Pedestal
Bridge Button Panel
Custom Turret Controller
Action Relay
AI Basic
AI Recorder
AI Flight
AI Defensive
AI Offensive
Event Controller
Large Cargo Container
Medium Cargo Container
Small Cargo Container
Modular Cargo Container
Store
Contracts Block
Connector/Ejector
Small Connector/Ejector
Collector
Conveyor Sorter
Small Conveyor Sorter
Conveyor Frame
Conveyor Converter
