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SpaceX ignited a new Raptor engine on Starship without an explosion
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- rektide 5y ago> Before the engines reach full power the outside air pressure pushed up inside the engine nozzles creating unstable flow separation. See the nozzle flex. the last video, of the shuttle's rs-25 engines turn on & the unstable flow separation was totally awesome to see. it's hard to believe atmosphere has enough pressure to push anything up those nozzles but there's all kinds of evidence dancing before the eyes that just that is happening. then watching the nozzles quake a bit really gave added to the impression, made it really obvious that not-exploding is quite the mighty challenge.