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I can guarantee you that “ingesting a nut” through the engine is not part of the official engine qual program. Maybe it happened once and somehow the engine sur
by elteto 3y ago
I can guarantee you that “ingesting a nut” through the engine is not part of the official engine qual program. Maybe it happened once and somehow the engine survived and they were able to ascertain what had happened. But this is not a common thing.
Edit: I will say that what actually is a test commonly done (also in industry in general) is doing a “roll test”. They put the stages on these massive rollers and slowly turn them… listening for any “clinks”. Pretty funny seeing it done.
- ceejayoz 3y agohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/is-spacex-changing-the-rocket-equation-132285884/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/is-spacex-... > Part of the Merlin’s qualification testing involves feeding a stainless steel nut into the fuel and oxidizer lines while the engine is running—a test that would destroy most engines but leaves the Merlin running basically unhindered. They're not running it through the engine, they're verifying that the filter is installed and functional so it doesn't get to the engine.
- elteto 3y ago2012 article so it predates my time by quite a bit. Not a thing anymore though.
- inemesitaffia 3y agoThings change. Maybe it's more of a type certification/ crash test thing. Test one to failure and assume it works