We have all heard by now about the incredible achievement of SpaceX last week, and how they caught their Super Heavy booster in the "mechazilla" chopsticks back on its launch pad.
However, one of the unsung heroes of these accomplishments are the rocket engines themselves.
SpaceX's Super Heavy Booster is powered by 33 of their unique Raptor V2 engines which are the most innovative, most powerful engines ever created, while also pushing the limits of fuel efficiency and reusability. The Raptors are truly monsters when it comes to thrust (230 tons / 2.53 Mega Newtons EACH at sea level - thats the maximum takeoff weight of an Airbus 330 🛫 !). So what makes it so unique, powerful, and efficient?
👉 FULL FLOW: Raptor engines are "full-flow staged combustion cycle" engines that pre-burn the propellant (liquid oxygen and methane) in separate streams. This produces very hot, high pressure gases that drive TWO dual-gas turbines (one for the oxidizer, one for the fuel), that, in turn, pump the propellant into the combustion chamber at very high pressures. This is truly unique.
👉 METHANE: Most rockets use RP-1 (refined kerosene), but the Raptors use methane which has high energy density, burns much cleaner (better for environment, and reduces coking -> quicker turnaround for reuse), and the potential for use on Mars (assuming we can get methane from Martian atmosphere!).
👉 COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY: The result is a VERY high combustion efficiency (high specific impulse) that creates incredible thrust per unit (think: mpg!)
👉HIGH PERFORMANCE: The Raptor operates at an exceptionally high chamber pressure of 300 bar (300x atmospheres!) which improves the thrust and efficiency of the engine.
👉 LONGEVITY: And, balancing the fuel and oxidizer flows prevents extreme thermal stresses on engine components, which creates better longevity and durability.
🚀🚀 The SpaceX RESULT: massive thrust, better efficiency, excellent reliability and reusability, and a cleaner fuel burn.
So, when the SpaceX Starship uses 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster (the first stage), and 6 on the Starship (the second stage), this is a completely astonishing amount of thrust (~74,400 kN, or approx. 7 MILLION tons)! This is truly pushing the limits of physics!
Ideal for blasting off with heavy payloads such as the Starship, and landing on Moon or Mars.
😱 The scary thing...... the new Raptor V3 will produce even more thrust (280 tons), and be lighter than the V2!
Comments