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Is SpaceX's Raptor engine the king of rocket engines?

Everyday Astronaut · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Space exploration & spaceflightMechanical & precision engineering

What it is

Everyday Astronaut explains the basic physics of rocket engines, the main engine cycles and fuel types, then compares SpaceX's methane-fueled full-flow staged combustion Raptor to other engines. It runs nearly 50 minutes with chapter markers.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters send people here as the best accessible starting point for understanding why Raptor and fuel choice matter for Starship.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 4 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2019, last 2022

What HN commenters said

  1. “Here's a great video on what makes the new SpaceX engine revolutionary”

    Explains what makes the Raptor engine revolutionary

    DennisP, 2019-11 · Strong recommendation · in “Ask HN: How would you bootstrap a space company?”

  2. “A great place to start is this amazing video by The Everyday Astronaut”

    Explains how fuel choice shapes rocket design, including Mars refueling

    DisjointedHunt, 2022-02 · Strong recommendation · in “Starship is threatening NASA’s moon contractors”

  3. “Here's an in-depth video about Raptor”

    In-depth look at the Raptor engine

    martythemaniak, 2020-06 · Recommendation · in “We could see an orbital launch of SpaceX’s Starship this year”

  4. “If you want to learn more”

    Further learning on Raptor's breakthroughs

    kiratp, 2022-11 · Recommendation · in “NASA – Artemis I Liftoff”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: raptor, spacex, staged combustion, methalox, rocket propulsion

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