SpaceX Special Research (3): Launch Vehicle Engine

1. Merlin engine

(1) Merlin 1C

The main installation targets of Merlin 1C are Falcon 1 and Falcon 9, which have been retired.

1.Basic information

length

quality

fuel

oxidizing agent

combustion chamber

Nozzle cooling method

2.92m

630

kg

kerosene

liquid oxygen

1

regenerative cooling

2.Performance parameters

thrust

(vacuum)

thrust

(sea level)

specific impulse

(vacuum)

specific impulse

(sea level)

Push-to-mass ratio

480 kN

420 kN

304.8 s

275 s

68

(2) Merlin 1D

Merlin 1D is mainly installed on Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy and is currently in service.

1.Basic information

fuel

oxidizing agent

combustion chamber

fuel cycle method

Thrust adjustment range

kerosene

liquid oxygen

1

gas generator cycle

57%-100%

2.Performance parameters

Thrust (vacuum)

Thrust (sea level)

Specific impulse (vacuum)

Specific impulse (sea level)

934.1 kN

903.0 kN

348s

290s

2. Raptor engine

(1) Raptor 1

Raptor 1 is a full-flow staged combustion cycle liquid oxygen methane rocket engine developed by SpaceX. It is mainly installed in the test version of Starship and has been retired.

1.Basic information

quality

fuel

oxidizing agent

Mixing ratio

Multiple ignition starts

Thrust adjustment range

2000kg

Methane

liquid oxygen

3.6

yes

40%-

100%

2.Performance parameters

Thrust (sea level)

Specific impulse (sea level)

Specific impulse (vacuum)

Push-to-mass ratio

185 t

330s

378s

92.5

(2) Birds of Prey 2

Raptor 2 is a full-flow staged combustion cycle low-temperature liquid oxygen methane rocket engine developed by SpaceX. It is installed on Starship’s Super Heavy and Starship and is currently in service.

1.Basic information

quality

fuel

oxidizing agent

Mixing ratio

Multiple ignition starts

Thrust adjustment range

1600 kg

Methane

liquid oxygen

3.6

yes

40%-100%

2.Performance parameters

Thrust (sea level)

Thrust (vacuum)

Specific impulse (sea level)

Push-to-mass ratio

230 t

260 t

327s

143.75

(3) Raptor 3

Raptor 3 is a full-flow staged combustion cycle low-temperature liquid oxygen methane rocket engine developed by SpaceX. It is installed on the Starship Super Heavy and Starship and is currently under development.

1.Basic information

quality

fuel

oxidizing agent

Multiple ignition starts

1525 kg

Methane

liquid oxygen

yes

2.Performance

thrust

(sea level)

Specific impulse (vacuum)

Push-to-mass ratio

280t

350s

183.6

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