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Aha. I have a better understanding after reading the actual SpaceX presser[0]. The SuperDraco thrusters are to be used only for a launch escape scenario, so the
by black6 7y ago
Aha. I have a better understanding after reading the actual SpaceX presser[0]. The SuperDraco thrusters are to be used only for a launch escape scenario, so they would only be used once before a ground refit of the capsule. That being the case, a burst disk does make sense as a replacement for a check valve.
0: https://www.spacex.com/news/2019/07/15/update-flight-abort-static-fire-anomaly-investigation https://www.spacex.com/news/2019/07/15/update-flight-abort-s...
- Mvandenbergh 7y agoThe reason why they have a check valve is that the design was originally designed to be re-lightable for purposes including but not limited to abort. At this point, NASA only wants them used for abort so a burst disk is a simpler design but I guess they never updated the design to reflect the restricted purpose. That would fit with SpaceX's general design philosophy of building re-usability in well before the systems are actually due to be re-used.