2 ms·
As I recall, it remains the case that rocket engines get worse performance with an electric fuel pump. Electric has two issues. First of all, the energy densit
by rocqua 8y ago
As I recall, it remains the case that rocket engines get worse performance with an electric fuel pump.
Electric has two issues. First of all, the energy density (after controlling for efficiency of electric motors / turbo pumps) is lower than that of rocket fuel. Second of all, an empty battery weighs as much as a full one, whereas used fuel no longer weighs down the rocket.
- wolf550e 8y agoThey disconnect and dump the battery mid-flight on ascent to not carry the mass of the empty battery, which might be counted as half a stage in rocket terminology (like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM-65_Atlas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM-65_Atlas) See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPwMuUxSrcA&t=1625 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPwMuUxSrcA&t=1625