The company SpaceX has conducted tests of the Raptor engine, which is planning to use for a flight to Mars
Last night, SpaceX conducted bench tests of its new Raptor engine , which is planned to be used for a flight to Mars. Messages with photos from the tests posted on his twitter the founder of the company Ilon Musk:
Raptor uses liquid methane and liquid oxygen as its fuel. This is the first engine of its kind created by SpaceX. Another development of the company - the Merlin engine also belongs to the class of LRE , however, it uses kerosene as the fuel, and liquid oxygen is used as the oxidizer.
In his Twitter account, Musk outlined the goals that are set for the Raptor in terms of performance:
The following goal is set before the Raptor engine: a specific impulse of 382 seconds and a thrust of ~ 310 tons per 300 Bar (3 MN ).
Whether the indicated figures were achieved during the tests, the SpaceX founder did not specify.
Like Merlin, Raptor was designed for reuse as well as for use in deep space, that is, interplanetary travel.
Engine development from 2009 to 2015 was carried out at the expense of SpaceX own funds. In 2016, the US Air Force funded the project at $ 33.6 million to create a Raptor modification for use in the upper stages of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy PH. Another $ 67.3 million added to the research itself SpaceX.
It is expected that tomorrow, September 27, Musk will present the details of his manned mission to Mars. It should be noted that at one time research and the colonization of Mars were set as the main, albeit distant goals for the creation and development of SpaceX.
Raptor uses liquid methane and liquid oxygen as its fuel. This is the first engine of its kind created by SpaceX. Another development of the company - the Merlin engine also belongs to the class of LRE , however, it uses kerosene as the fuel, and liquid oxygen is used as the oxidizer.
In his Twitter account, Musk outlined the goals that are set for the Raptor in terms of performance:
The following goal is set before the Raptor engine: a specific impulse of 382 seconds and a thrust of ~ 310 tons per 300 Bar (3 MN ).
Whether the indicated figures were achieved during the tests, the SpaceX founder did not specify.
Like Merlin, Raptor was designed for reuse as well as for use in deep space, that is, interplanetary travel.
Engine development from 2009 to 2015 was carried out at the expense of SpaceX own funds. In 2016, the US Air Force funded the project at $ 33.6 million to create a Raptor modification for use in the upper stages of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy PH. Another $ 67.3 million added to the research itself SpaceX.
It is expected that tomorrow, September 27, Musk will present the details of his manned mission to Mars. It should be noted that at one time research and the colonization of Mars were set as the main, albeit distant goals for the creation and development of SpaceX.