On the X network (formerly Twitter), the head of SpaceX, Elon Musk, showed an image of the first burn of the first production copy of the new rocket engine – Raptor 3 (SN1). The photo was taken on August 9 at the McGregor Proving Ground in Texas. It is interesting to note that it might not have existed, but a provocative post on the X network by the head of ULA Tory Bruno pushed it to publication.
Click to expand image. Image source: SpaceX
Bruno commented on the demo of the first Raptor 3 to the effect that it was a really great job, but why show a half-assembled engine without a body kit of sensors and piping? Indeed, the Raptor 3 engine in the image looks a little too… naked, or something. There is no usual clutter around the top of the nozzle of pipes and other things. It’s no wonder that the rocket science veteran doubted that Musk showed a completely ready-to-use device.
Meanwhile, Musk immediately stated that all the pipes and sensors in the methane Raptor 3 were moved inside the engine. The use of 3D metal printing helped with this. Due to this, it was also possible to provide the necessary cooling to these components and eliminate heavy and voluminous heat shields from the structure. Now there is no need for them. Thus, it was possible to create a masterpiece of minimalism in the field of production of liquid rocket engines.
In response to Bruno’s sarcasm, Elon Musk simply showed a working Raptor 3 in the same “simplified” form as in the warehouse photo. Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, also duplicated the image with the words, “Good job on a half-assembled engine,” and added a laughing emoji at the end.
Musk also explained that all the white engine parts in the photo are actually black, just covered in ice, highlighting the impressive regenerative cooling of engine components without additional protective equipment. Well, really good job!