As we know, Raptor is a “combustion cycled rocket engine” which has been designed and manufactured by SpaceX in order to carry out the futuristic missions related to the SpaceX Starship. Recently, it has been reported that the installation process of 39 upgraded raptor engines has finally been completed successfully, and now the prototype is all set to be launched into orbit for the first time. This starship rocket is an entirely reusable transportation system comprising of a “Ship 24” and a super heavy booster known as “Booster 7”.
Interestingly, the designing and the manufacturing processes of these Raptor engines have been explained by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and the video of this whole procedure has been apprehended by the Youtuber “Everyday Astronaut.” The video was shot in the confinement of the SpaceX factory, and Musk explained everything related to the manufacturing of the engines in a detailed manner. The pictures of the installation of this phase were demonstrated on Twitter six days ago by SpaceX.
These Raptor engines have been manufactured and designed according to those parameters that support their installation on the Starship prototype. Now, SpaceX is waiting for the tests to be successful so that the rocket can be launched into orbit anytime this summer. In the video, Musk explains the comparison between the Gimbling Raptor 1 and the Gimbling Raptor 2 engine. He stated, “Gimbling Raptor 1 is around 180-185 tons of thrust at 250 bars, while Gimbling Raptor 2 is 230 tons of thrust at 300 bars, which is crazy for a Raptor engine.”
Furthermore, he talked about the combustion efficiency of these Raptor engines and stated that we should get 99% of it, which is a little bit insane according to Musk. It can be seen in the video that the outer chamber is relatively small, and Musk said it’s because of the “bunch of injector elements” that it contains. And when the gas plunges into the main chamber it’s already pre-mixed up to 90% and the chamber is only responsible for the remaining 10% mixing of this fuel-rich gas when it enters through the straw.
Musk further said in the video that there is some issue with the Booster 7 and it can be further elaborated with its testing and after that, it will be rectified. Hence, the video is very detailed about the working capabilities of these Raptor engines. It also highlighted the minute details, and Musk talked very comprehensively about these 33 upgraded starship engines. To delve into more technical details, watch the video embedded above.