Thruster Comparison

Tip: The https://se-calculator.com by Oxomus is an interactive online tool that answers your question how many thrusters you need for which job.

Metrics from v1.203 (2023)

Thruster type	Grid type	Dimensions	Mass (kg)	Max thrust (kN)	Power or fuel consumption (kW or L/s)	Effectiveness on planet (surface level)	Max lift on Earthlike (kg)	Excess lift on Earthlike (kg)	Thrust-to-fuel (N/kW or N/L/s)
Small Atmospheric Thruster	Small	1x1x3	699	96	600	100%	9,796	9,097	160
	Large	1x1x3	4,000	648	2,400	100%	66,122	62,122	270
Large Atmospheric Thruster	Small	3x3x5	2,948	576	2,400	100%	58,776	55,828	240
	Large	3x3x5	32,970	6,480	16,800	100%	661,224	628,254	385.71
Small Flat Atmospheric Thruster	Small	1x1x1	303	32	200	100%	3,265	2,962	160
	Large	1x1x1	1,273	200	800	100%	20,408	19,135	250
Large Flat Atmospheric Thruster	Small	3x3x2	1,060	230	1,000	100%	23,469	22,409	230
	Large	3x3x2	12,190	2,600	6,700	100%	265,306	253,116	388.06
Small Ion Thruster	Small	1x1x2	121	14.4	200	20%	294	173	72
	Large	1x1x2	4,380	345.6	3,360	20%	7,053	2,673	102.86
Large Ion Thruster	Small	3x2x4	721	172.8	2,400	20%	3,527	2,806	72
	Large	3x2x4	43,200	4,320	33,600	20%	88,163	44,963	128.57
Small Hydrogen Thruster	Small	1x1x1	334	98.4	80.33	100%	10,041	9,707	1,224.88
	Large	1x1x1	1,420	1,080	803.34	100%	110,204	108,784	1,344.38
Large Hydrogen Thruster	Small	3x3x3	1,222	480	385.60	100%	48,980	47,758	1,244.80
	Large	3x3x3	6,940	7,200	4,820.05	100%	734,694	727,754	1,493.76