Article

2014-11-07 Science & Technology

Non-Russian Rocket Engine Alternatives for Atlas and Antares

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Posted by 3dc 2014-11-07 01:58|| || Front Page|| [11126 views ] Top

#1 Has a Lox-Methane motor anywhere near that size been fired?

Posted by Shipman 2014-11-07 06:41|| 2014-11-07 06:41|| Front Page Top

#2 I suppose Estes is out of the question. A really big one.

Posted by ed in texas 2014-11-07 07:40|| 2014-11-07 07:40|| Front Page Top

#3 They could also use the engine in the Delta IV as a starting point for a lox-methane engine. Or the RL-10.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2014-11-07 08:55|| 2014-11-07 08:55|| Front Page Top

#4 Has a Lox-Methane motor anywhere near that size been fired?
Possibly in the USSR R&D period. Pieces of one a bit bigger in SpaceX's Raptor engine just starting testing at Stennis. As to a full engine with documentation - NO.

LOX/methane has all sorts of advantages esp with safety.
Number one is LOX and super cooled liquid methane are in the same temperature regime. That simplifies tanking, piping, engines, insulation, pad storage and piping - everything.
Second big advantage is LOX/methane doesn't coke much so restarting and reusing a LOX/methane engine becomes much more doable.
Third the US has lots of natural gas and can manufacture it on Mars and some other space bodies.
Fourth it appears that a LOX/methane engine could be simpler to produce.
Fifth - It's the current fad because both SpaceX and Bezos Blue Origin are touting it.

Posted by 3dc 2014-11-07 09:15|| 2014-11-07 09:15|| Front Page Top

#5 Hopefully they had nothing to do with the Virgin Galactic Rocket

Ask Wile E. for his point man at Acme Rocket Company

Posted by Woodrow Thud3213 2014-11-07 10:21|| 2014-11-07 10:21|| Front Page Top

#6 Time will tell but it is beginning to look like the Virgin Galactic crash was due to structural failure due to improper activation of the drogue wings. Mechanical or pilot error, or a combination of both. Not the rocket engine.

Posted by tipover 2014-11-07 11:07|| 2014-11-07 11:07|| Front Page Top

#7 Well, if it burns methane, then it's good, right? 'Cuz methane is bad - a greenhouse gas. Right?

Posted by Bobby 2014-11-07 13:49|| 2014-11-07 13:49|| Front Page Top

#8 Bobby, not necessarily. When methane burns, it produces CO2 and dihydrogen monoxide, both of which are also greenhouse gasses.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2014-11-07 14:19|| 2014-11-07 14:19|| Front Page Top

#9 Lol dihydrogen monoxide clearly a fangerous greenhouse gas and pollutant, better put a tax or emissions trading scheme on producers

Posted by Anon1 2014-11-07 18:53|| 2014-11-07 18:53|| Front Page Top

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