All Questions
Tagged with propulsionspacex
23 questions
-2votes
1answer
377views
Why wasn't SpaceX heavy rocket tested thoroughly on ground before being sent to space?
I do not know how much testing SpaceX did before launching their heavy rocket but it to blow up 3 mins later and call is a success seems a bit misleading. I understand they gathered data but to what ...
- 137
1vote
0answers
144views
Is there any major difference between acceleration of solid propelled and liquid propelled rockets during launch
Few days ago, ISRO launched its PSLV-C53, which had solid first stage. (Clip here) Also, the SpaceX's starlink launched on 24th July, 2022, having liquid first stage. (Clip here) Is there any major ...
3votes
1answer
670views
If a company/agency has already developed a kerolox/hydrolox rocket, is it wise for them to switch to an all-methalox rocket? (to lower costs)
Multiple rockets, such as the Atlas V or Saturn V, have used the combination of a kerosene/liquid oxygen (kerolox) lower stage for higher density and thrust within the atmosphere and a liquid hydrogen/...
6votes
1answer
1kviews
What is that white smoke coming out of the bottom of the Starship?
What is that white smoke coming out of the SN8? It comes out at the bottom and it starts when the first engine stops, why is that? I think I have seen it coming out from the top too: This is also ...
- 2,710
10votes
1answer
1kviews
How much krypton is stored on a Starlink satellite?
How much krypton (fuel) is there for the krypton-powered ion thrusters on Starlink satellites and how long does it last?
- 101
3votes
0answers
101views
Where are Falcon 9 1st stage GN2 tanks located?
Is nitrogen propellant for the two cold gas thrusters pods contained in the interstage? The view we have from the B5-B1050 recovery shows several small COPV(s) pic1 Here you can see where the cold gas ...
13votes
1answer
1kviews
Why did SpaceX swap the LOX and CH4 tanks between Mk1 and SN1?
According to most sources, the Starship Mk.1 had its LOX main tank (not talking about the header tanks here) on top and its main methane tank below. But it seems the SN1 revision, and all subsequent ...
- 131
5votes
2answers
3kviews
Who built Starlink's electric propulsion systems?
Wondering who actually built the Starlink propulsion systems? Did SpaceX develop this technology in-house, outsource or acquire a company that had the IP and bring this back in-house? Very curious ...
- 51
4votes
1answer
495views
What type of propellant does Spacex plan to use in Starship for long duration missions?
For long duration missions such as ones to mars what type of propellant would be best suited?
5votes
0answers
333views
Purging process of a rocket engine
Does spacex purge Falcon 9 engines after landing ? If so, which gas is used for purging?
- 1,161
23votes
4answers
10kviews
Why does the Falcon 9 use RP-1/LOx and not LH2/LOx?
Why does SpaceX use RP-1 in the first and second stages of their rockets? In my view at least the second stage could use hydrogen as it currently is not being reused. I am aware that you have higher ...
- 546
5votes
0answers
233views
What is the droplet size that is desirable for pintle injectors?
The pintle injectors tend to generate droplets after impingement of the fuel and the oxidiser stream and I understand that the droplets will be premixed. In such a case, even a larger premixed ...
- 4,499
6votes
0answers
2kviews
Potential improvement to BFR or New Glenn if equipped with aerospike exhaust on their engines?
Aerospikes basically tackle the issue of the variability in required expansion ratio for a rocket engine to be efficient at a given altitude. A recent example though mired in legal issues is a small ...
- 61
7votes
1answer
399views
What was the source of uncertainty on the Starman ejection burn?
After the launch and six-hour cruise, the Falcon Heavy’s upper stage will fire a third time to send the Tesla into a cycling orbit between Earth and Mars. This should take the Tesla out as far as the ...
- 56.4k
0votes
1answer
397views
Could maglev + scramjet be used to launch rockets to space? [duplicate]
Scramjet technology allows for propulsion once Mach4 is reached, without needing oxidizer thus reducing the weight up to 80% (as read in https://medium.com/@rsn/spacex-falcon-9-vs-isros-reusable-...
