In a recent AMA (question-answer) Reddit Mask was asked about the Raptor rocket engine. He replied that the engine is the cherry on the cake, and is also scalable, but the main difficulties will be related to ensuring safety and preventing “unplanned disassembly”. So in circles SpaceX jokingly called an accident, after which the rocket falls apart.
Spacex raptor
In 2016, the US Air Force signed a contract with SpaceX for the design and development of a prototype Raptor first stage engine running on dual rocket fuel. The design is based on the SpaceX Raptor reusable methane-powered engine used in the upper stages of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. On Saturday, Ilon Musk personally spoke at Reddit and answered a few questions about the prototype and other purposes of the Raptor design.
Someone asked: “Can you upgrade for us the status of scaling the Raptor prototype to the final size? The claimed Raptor prototype currently has about 100 ton-forces, and it will be increased to 170 ton-forces, following your design, presented at the IAC / 2017 conference. Tell us more about the current status and the expected (best) deadlines for the final scaling? ”
Mask gave a detailed answer:
“Scaling thrust is the easiest part. It is very easy to scale the Raptor designed to 170 tons. The design of the aircraft is much lighter and denser and extremely reliable. The goal is to match or exceed the safety level of passenger airlines. ”
“If our engines are very close to aircraft reliability, have an anti-aircraft shield to protect against rapid unplanned disassembly and we will have more engines than regular steam airliners, then exceeding the level of aviation security will be possible. This will be especially important for traveling from point to point on Earth. The opportunity to get on the rocket anywhere in 30 minutes instead of a 15-hour flight will be seriously overshadowed by the words "by the way, you can die" on the ticket. "
Riding a rocket
SpaceX reusable rockets paved the way for economical, environmentally friendly and efficient space travel. The prototype of the Raptor engine, as Musk explained, is currently being scaled for use in aerospace company rockets. But his answers not only confirmed that SpaceX will be able to scale the engine, but also confirmed that the focus will be on the safety of passenger traffic - and all this indicates the possibility of ordinary movement using rockets.
So, is there a possibility that in the near future, SpaceX will sell its rockets for normal commercial use? This is possible. However, the company will first refine its engine and increase passenger safety. The priorities of the company - protection from "unplanned disassembly" - remain correct.
The article is based on materials .
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