The SpaceX Nine Raptor Mars Rocket

in space on 2014-03-09 11:35 (#3FB)

The ever-improving Raptor rocket engine from SpaceX has mutated to a 1Mlbf (4,500kN) gas-gas (full flow) liquid methane and oxygen engine. With nine such engines in an arrangement that could dwarf even the Saturn V, can Musk and his team finally shoot for Mars?

Interesting that they chose methane. (Score: 5, Interesting)

by dgoodmaniii@pipedot.org on 2014-03-09 12:45 (#BD)

Apparently this was at least in part in the belief that it could be found on Mars. But I recall reading that Curiosity has found no methane. I know that we still believe there to be some, but I wonder how hard it would be to access?

Re: Interesting that they chose methane. (Score: 4, Informative)

by wildwombat@pipedot.org on 2014-03-09 21:18 (#BN)

I'm not so sure that they plan on finding methane as much as they can produce methane from other gasses that are there. Its an easier fuel to manufacture than kerosene and easier to handle than hydrogen.

Cheers,
-WW

Re: Interesting that they chose methane. (Score: 5, Insightful)

by foobarbazbot@pipedot.org on 2014-03-09 23:13 (#BQ)

First, let me say that anyone the slightest interest in the topic of liquid fueled rocketry needs to read John D. Clark's Ignition! (pdf) . It's only 200-some pages, and well worth it.

Anyway, regarding methane, the ease of manufacture is definitely part of it, but there's more.

Two important, and largely at-odds, characteristics of a rocket fuel are that it must produce low-molecular-weight exhaust products, which maximizes Isp, and that it must be high-density, so a smaller volume is required, so the tankage weighs less. In the same vein, cryofuels are slightly worse than noncryos of the same density, because of the added mass of insulation required.

Hydrogen is a popular choice (particularly for upper stages) because its exhaust products (H2O, H2*) are the lightest you can get in a practical** chemical rocket.
Kerosene is also popular (particularly for 1st stages) because it's about 7x as dense as hydrogen, and not a cryofuel.
Methane is a chance to split the difference -- it's roughly 6x as dense as liquid hydrogen (it still has the cryofuel insulation penalty, though), but it has relatively light exhaust gases (2:1 H2O/CO ratio) compared to long hydrocarbons (H2O/CO ratios approach 1:1 for long-chain alkanes, and are 1:1 for simple cycloalkanes).

* fuel-rich mixtures are generally used for a combination of reasons (see Ignition!) including better exhaust mixture (H2 vs. H2O, or for hydrocarbons CO vs. CO2).

** such devices as Rocketdyne's test motor burning liquid lithium, liquid fluorine, and gaseous hydrogen (see Ignition!) are fascinating when viewed from a sufficient distance, but if that's what you would term practical, please tell me where you live and/or work so I can stay well clear.