SpaceX Is Already Testing a New Engine for Starship Described As ‘A Work of Art.’ Yet, the Competition Is Skeptical

Starship is already the world’s tallest and most powerful rocket. However, it needs to continue growing in order to achieve its initial goal of putting more than 100 tons into orbit. Additionally, in the future, the company aims to double its payload capacity to more than 200 tons.

To facilitate this growth, SpaceX has developed a new version of the Raptor engine, the third generation. Recently, the company unveiled and tested a Raptor 3 for the first time. Its design is so minimalist that even the competition can’t believe it.

The Raptor 3, a Minimalist Beast

The key to the Raptor 3 engine is its minimalism. When compared side-by-side with the Raptor 2, the current version of the Starship engine, the differences are striking, let alone when compared to the Raptor 1.

By eliminating, integrating, or simplifying components, the Raptor 3 weighs less than half of what the Raptor 1 weighed, including the mass of the engine and the mass induced by the rocket-side hardware.

The total mass of Raptor 1 was 8,000 pounds, while that of Raptor 2 was 6,430 pounds. Raptor 3 brings its total mass down to 3,790 pounds, with 3,362 pounds from the engine and 428 pounds of induced mass.

Considering that the Super Heavy (Starship’s first stage) has 33 Raptor engines, with SpaceX planning to add two more, the savings amount to 40 tons between the current and next generation of the engines.

Among other components, the Raptor 3 eliminates small pipes and wires and incorporates some of them into its main structure. It also consolidates many parts into single, complex pieces using 3D metal printing on the engine walls.

In addition, the Raptor 3 adds regenerative cooling, which involves the circulation of cryogenic propellant through the engine to all parts that previously lacked this feature. As a result, there’s no longer a need for a heat shield.

This meticulous simplification process reduces the engine’s weight and enhances its potential for rapid reusability. Additionally, it increases SpaceX’s capability to mass produce the Raptor.

“Works Pretty Good For a ‘Partially Assembled’ Engine”

The Raptor 3 has received mixed reviews from industry experts. While Elon Musk has described it as “a work of art,” Tory Bruno, the head of United Launch Alliance, SpaceX’s main U.S. competitor, has expressed skepticism about the engine, stating that the images showed an incomplete assembly.

“They have done an excellent job making the assembly simpler and more producible,” Bruno shared on his X account. “So, there is no need to exaggerate this by showing a partially assembled engine without controllers, fluid management, or TVC systems, then comparing it to fully assembled engines that do.”

Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president, ironically responded to Bruno’s skepticism by sharing a photo of the first test firing of the Raptor 3: “Works pretty good for a ‘partially assembled’ engine.”

The company recently tested the Raptor 3 for the first time on SpaceX’s test stand in McGregor, Texas. Once operational, it’ll have a thrust of 280 tons and a specific impulse of 350 seconds. This will be multiplied by 33 engines in Starship’s first stage and six in the second stage.

This article was written by Matías S. Zavia and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.

Image | SpaceX

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