Ran across this today.
A single Raptor2 methane/oxygen engine can produce over half a million pounds of
thrust. They have done 540,000 pounds during ground tests in Texas. That means a
single engine can lift the weights of these things shown vertically - more
thrust than weight. Now imagine what 33 of them in a cluster all firing at
once can lift.
Image and concept credits to "Galaxy Heroes" on Twitter.
It has been a busy day around the house, with not much news on the space beat. Possible road closures out at Starbase Boca Chica for Tuesday through Thursday, and then again Monday and Tuesday of next week (7/11 and 12). While Booster 7 has had some tests done, there are more to come before they think about lighting some of those Raptors. Here's a good summary video from NASA Spaceflight.com.
Now imagine how much the fuel for all 33 of them firing at once weighs!
ReplyDeleteWith 16-1/2 million (-ish) pounds of thrust, I'm guessing 11 to 12 million pounds of fuel. Still, as long as thrust/weight is greater than 1, it gets there.
DeleteT/W ratio is about 1.5/1
DeleteSheesh!
Around 6 AM CDT they moved SS24 back to the launch complex and are putting in on Sub-orbital Launch Pad B. I am guessing that they are going to do some cryo tests and then static fire tests. With SH7 on the Orbital launch pad, I am guessing that it is in line for its static fire tests with all of those Raptor 2s on it.
ReplyDeleteI've got Rover 2 camera open right now and have been watching it off and on. I'm hoping you're right about the static firing.
DeleteThere's a "your mom" joke hiding in here somewhere.
ReplyDelete