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From /r/SpaceX, the estimates is that this is a Raptor engine at similar size as the Merlin engine they currently use in Falcon 9. If so, it'd be about 1/3 siz
by bergie 10y ago
From /r/SpaceX, the estimates is that this is a Raptor engine at similar size as the Merlin engine they currently use in Falcon 9.
If so, it'd be about 1/3 size of the "real" Raptor. Though, they also have a contract to develop a Raptor-powered F9 upper stage, so this size could be potentially for that.
- Gravityloss 10y agoHis latest tweets are a bit hard to interpret but they say target thrust is 3x Merlin, and 3x chamber pressure, meaning they look similar size if they have a similar area ratio. I think the combustion chamber and throat are going to be of roughly similar size, but Raptor is going to have a bigger nozzle, because if you expand to ambient (or slightly below), the higher pressure engine naturally has a larger area ratio. Anyway, in general, the nozzle in a high pressure engine can be a little smaller for the same thrust, but that effect is not 3x. Maybe they haven't yet fabricated the big nozzles so they first test it in a very underexpanded condition.
- iamcreasy 10y ago> His latest tweets are a bit hard to interpret but they say target thrust is 3x Merlin, and 3x chamber pressure, meaning they look similar size if they have a similar area ratio. Does it mean three Merlin engines can be replaced with one Raptor engine?