SpaceX has already shown an improved Raptor 2 engine for the Starship spacecraft - it is noticeably more compact than a conventional Raptor. And now there are a few more details about this.

Everyday Astronaut's Twitter account has posted two 3D models of the Raptor engine and its updated version, the Raptor 2, which is undergoing final testing. The authors suggested that the new engine has a mass of about 1,600 kilograms versus 2,000 kilograms for the old one. Elon Musk reacted to this message. He confirmed that the mass is indeed less by about 20%, and thrust, on the contrary, is more by 20%. However, the priority in the development of the Raptor 2, according to the head of SpaceX, is to increase reliability, facilitate production and reduce the price. Further improvement of spacecraft engines, according to Elon Musk, is the only way to make life multi-planetary and “expand consciousness”.

Thrust and dead weight are considered one of the most important characteristics of a rocket engine. Both can significantly increase the mass of the output payload or the fuel used.

SpaceX plans to power the Raptor (and Raptor 2) engines on the Starship, a next-generation, super-heavy, reusable rocket. It is with the help of this rocket and the spacecraft integrated into its upper stage that Elon Musk plans to send people to Mars and fulfill the NASA contract to deliver astronauts to the Moon by 2025-2026.

Conceptually, Starship will replace the current SpaceX rockets, that is, Starship will launch satellites into orbit, and deliver the crew to the ISS, and perform long-distance flights - to the Moon and later - to Mars. Accordingly, Raptor engines will be enough to perform simple missions, and Raptor 2 will be used for long-range and much more responsible missions.

bbabo.Net