Is SpaceX's Raptor engine the king of rocket engines?
5,152,855
Published 2019-05-25
02:55 - Basic physics of rocket engines
06:10 - Rocket engine cycles
20:30 - Rocket fuel comparison
30:40 - Raptor vs other rocket engines
44:05 - Summary
Article version - everydayastronaut.com/?p=9823&preview=true
SpaceX's new raptor engine is a methane fueled full flow staged combustion cycle engine and its so hard to develop, no engine like this has ever flown before!
Now this topic can be really intimidating so in order to bring the Raptor engine into context, we’re going to do an overview of a few common types of rocket engine cycles then compare the Raptor to a few other common rocket engines, like SpaceX’s current work horse, the Merlin, The Space Shuttle’s RS-25, the RD-180, Blue Origin’s BE-4 and the F-1 engine.
And if that’s not enough, not only is SpaceX using a crazy engine cycle, they’re also going to be using Liquid Methane as their fuel, again something that no orbital rocket has ever used! So we’ll also go over the unique characteristics of liquid methane as a rocket fuel and see if we can figure out why SpaceX went with Methane for the Raptor engine.
We'll also break down and explain all the different engine cycle types so you know what the full flow staged combustion cycle is, how it works, and how it compares to the other cycles.
So by the end of this video hopefully we’ll have the context to know why the raptor engine is special, how it compares to other rocket engines, why it’s using methane and hopefully find out if the Raptor engine will be the new king of rocket engines…
-----------------------------------------------
Rocket engine renders by @MartianDays twitter.com/MartianDays
F-1 Turbopump photo provided by Mike Jetzer/heroicrelics.org
HUGE thanks to my Moon Walker Patreon supporters! Blake Jacobs, Eli Burton, Jethro, Mac Malkawi, Neurostream, Ole Mathias Heggem
Want to support what I do? Consider becoming a Patreon supporter for access to exclusive livestreams, our discord channel and subreddit! - patreon.com/everydayastronaut
The best place for all your space merch needs!
everydayastronaut.com/shop/
All music is original! Check out my album "Maximum Aerodynamic Pressure" anywhere you listen to music (Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc) or click here for easy links - everydayastronaut.com/music
I'm the cohost of an awesome podcast where we talk all about current technologies and how they shape our future! ourludicrousfuture.com/ or here on YouTube youtube.com/ourludicrousfuture
All Comments (21)
-
There are people that try to stretch a 1min topic into 15min to gain more watch time and then there is cramming a 3 hour lecture on ROCKET SCIENCE into 49 minutes...
-
Absolutely incredible. I’m speechless. Can’t believe I actually just watched this video on YouTube for free...
-
Me before the video: “gosh 50 mins? Better be good.” Me after the video: “gosh 50 mins? Why so short?”
-
The fact that the F-1 holds up as well as it does despite how old it is speaks volumes about the sheer engineering that went into the Saturn V. Truly a beautiful craft that I hope will always be remembered in this new era of spaceflight ushered in by SpaceX and beyond.
-
No. Because raptors commonly optimize for small agile males and larger females able to carry more. Thus, they would be queens. Good job on those animations!
-
As an aerospace engineering student, I can say that some of this video is basically a sophomore class, but the real propulsion stuff, that’s straight up senior year content, this video is a senior year Aerospace engineering lecture. Here’s the classes you hit on: Intro to Aerospace Engineering 2 Thermodynamics Propulsion Advanced space propulsion
-
BAM!!! That's a high grade script, animation and delivery! Well done!
-
The fact that this is free to watch is insane. Excellent work!
-
This is what I was hoping the internet would be. Thanks for your hard work!
-
This is probably one of the best videos on rockets I have ever seen. The amount of information you crammed into 49 minutes is crazy. Thanks!
-
Best 49 minutes I've ever spent!
-
This is the second time I am watching this; I am slowly educating myself (or NASA and others are educating me at You Tube) in orbital mechanics and you are educating me in rocketry--for starters. I also want to complement you in the way you present. As an ESL instructor in Asia for nearly 20 years, I understand the challenge of explaining ideas to people which are complex--in your case, because it's rocket science, in mine, because I only use English--and my point is, you have a way of talking that is clear, emotional (difference in voice pitch and expression delineates concepts more easily than in monotone--the way many science teachers speak)--and you repeat, Tim, which is essential. I could probably help you with the writing; maybe when I have extra cash, I will join on Patreon and give ideas. But, thank you, and excellent job. Your knowledge alone earns you a valuable seat on the Dear Moon flight. Congrats on that! You deserve it.
-
Me: "I'm definitely not going to watch the whole video" 49 mins 1 sec later "Ups.."
-
I'm retired from a technical career. Over the years it was clear, whenever I was given a technical briefing on a subject I was unfamiliar with, and the person giving the briefing was unable to adequately explain the subject in "layman's" terms, it indicated that the person doing the briefing did not truly understand the technology. It is obvious that that is not the case here. Excellent orientation! Very impressive!
-
38:11 As for current time, seems Merlin engine has proven at least 10 times reusability with real flights, after 10th launch of B1051
-
I would just like to say that I appreciate the production value of your videos. You make it easy to follow along, even though you're explaining highly complicated topics to lesser thinkers like me lol
-
Ok i must say you have surpassed yourself , a very complex subject simple explained and visualized! Great Job, probably the best video of you yet! <3
-
Man, this video has a LOT or work behind. Thank you Tim.
-
I just discovered your channel. Thank you for the deep dives. I have learn a ton from you over the past week or so. Keep up the great work
-
This video is a timeless work of art. I plan on watching it many more times. Thank you so much for making it.
