3 ms·
It’s almost as good as hydrogen for iSP but way easier to handle. Also cheaper than RP1.
by api 11mo ago
It’s almost as good as hydrogen for iSP but way easier to handle. Also cheaper than RP1.
- CarVac 11mo agoIt's nowhere near as good as hydrogen for ISP, it's just slightly better than RP1. And it has lower density than RP1 as well. It's a good compromise, however, as well as being cheap and easy to simulate the combustion of.
- m4rtink 11mo agoI think it should also have better thrust than hydrogen, so more suitable for first stages.
- dotancohen 11mo agoWhy did nobody use it before the Raptor? I understand why Raptors use methalox, as it can be produced on Mars. But many of these new rockets are not destined to be refueled on Mars.
- DennisP 11mo agoAnother advantage is that it burns clean. That doesn't matter for expendables, but it's a big help if you want to reuse your rocket a bunch of times.
- mr_toad 11mo ago> Why did nobody use it before the Raptor? It’s not the best choice for an high-budget high-performance expendable multi-stage rocket. Using kerolox/SRBs in the first stage and hydrolox in the second stage gives better overall performance. Metholox is better for re-use, using the same engine in multiple stages lowers costs and complexity, and you can produce the fuel on Mars.
- CarVac 11mo agohttps://eagerspace.net/Why%20do%20New%20Rockets%20Love%20Methane.html https://eagerspace.net/Why%20do%20New%20Rockets%20Love%20Met...