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Ultimately I think you're right, considering that SpaceX received the least in initial design funding, and yet still ended up bidding less than half of what Blu

Ultimately I think you're right, considering that SpaceX received the least in initial design funding, and yet still ended up bidding less than half of what Blue Origin did. Also interesting to note that both Dynetics and Blue Origin both had partners in the process, while SpaceX stood alone in its concept. It seems fair to say that Blue Origin is lagging behind SpaceX, but they appear to have had success with their BE-4 engine, which is at least partly comparable to the Raptor. ULA has contracted with them to supply engines, which have reportedly moved into production phase. If I were Jeff Bezos, I would probably be pissed too that I didn't get a piece of this contract, regardless of which phase of development the program is in. These types of government contracts helped pave the way for SpaceX's current success story. Either way, this commercial competition is a huge boon for US leadership in space technology.

nickik 5y ago
BE-4 had years of delay and the initial version is way under powered compared to its size and potential and will not be reused. They had huge issues with it and that has likely delayed the Vulcan rocket considerably. Its only comparable to the Raptor in because of the fuel and that it is 'staged' in terms of most metrics its far behind. > These types of government contracts helped pave the way for SpaceX's current success story. Because SpaceX out-competed the competition in these selections and were the most successful despite getting the least amount of money.
- avmich 5y ago
  On one hand, I suspect Raptor is still going through initial design problems. One of indications is the "engine rich" exhaust on a recent SN landing. On the other hand, "staged combustion" and "full-flow staged combustion" are significantly different in terms of required efforts. USSR had the first one working since mid-1960s, multiple designs were made and flown since then, it's a standard design mode for Soviet/Russian engineers. At the same time the second one was not quite completed in late 1960s and wasn't returned to since - anywhere, except Aerojet Rocketdyne prototype - and the Raptor. So... I think Blue Origin is still noticeably behind SpaceX in terms of engine technology. I wish SpaceX had more competition, but right now they are unquestionably one of world leaders in it.
  - nickik 5y ago
    The engine rich exhaust has likely more to do with the fuel input being wrong because of pressure issues in the tanks. SpaceX can afford to continue to iterate. BlueOrigin needs to produced a fixed finished verified engine to a costumer for expensive military payloads. > except Aerojet Rocketdyne prototype Was only a part of the engine.

nickik 5y ago

BE-4 had years of delay and the initial version is way under powered compared to its size and potential and will not be reused. They had huge issues with it and that has likely delayed the Vulcan rocket considerably. Its only comparable to the Raptor in because of the fuel and that it is 'staged' in terms of most metrics its far behind. > These types of government contracts helped pave the way for SpaceX's current success story. Because SpaceX out-competed the competition in these selections and were the most successful despite getting the least amount of money.

avmich 5y ago
On one hand, I suspect Raptor is still going through initial design problems. One of indications is the "engine rich" exhaust on a recent SN landing. On the other hand, "staged combustion" and "full-flow staged combustion" are significantly different in terms of required efforts. USSR had the first one working since mid-1960s, multiple designs were made and flown since then, it's a standard design mode for Soviet/Russian engineers. At the same time the second one was not quite completed in late 1960s and wasn't returned to since - anywhere, except Aerojet Rocketdyne prototype - and the Raptor. So... I think Blue Origin is still noticeably behind SpaceX in terms of engine technology. I wish SpaceX had more competition, but right now they are unquestionably one of world leaders in it.
- nickik 5y ago
  The engine rich exhaust has likely more to do with the fuel input being wrong because of pressure issues in the tanks. SpaceX can afford to continue to iterate. BlueOrigin needs to produced a fixed finished verified engine to a costumer for expensive military payloads. > except Aerojet Rocketdyne prototype Was only a part of the engine.