Quote from: catdlr on 03/08/2026 10:15 pmQuote from: InterestedEngineer on 03/08/2026 10:13 pmQuote from: catdlr on 03/08/2026 08:28 pmIt's interesting to observe how far the mounting plate extends on the outer ring of 20.I'm curious why they'd mount only 10 or so engines.1. The engine serial number is in the 130 range or so - they likely have 33 engines they need2. IIRC it doesn't take that long to mount engines on SH, especially as there is no shielding to be put in place with Raptor3Have they done this before? I think it would have additional risk in test firing in a setup that has relatively poor simulation coverageThe booster that had the explosion under the OLM had a small number of engine configurations. I'm sure they do not want to replicate that, or cause something else that damages more engines during this pad test check. In my opinion, it's more of a pad test than a booster test.as discuss on today's RGV meeting. It could still be a Spin Prime and limited SF test, but at full power to simulate pressure at the bottom of the plate and test the plumbing.https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx2vFCetNwTKTpF-5My-0SODssoU4EZwvE?si=9w64_JLiEEBzAW8U
Quote from: InterestedEngineer on 03/08/2026 10:13 pmQuote from: catdlr on 03/08/2026 08:28 pmIt's interesting to observe how far the mounting plate extends on the outer ring of 20.I'm curious why they'd mount only 10 or so engines.1. The engine serial number is in the 130 range or so - they likely have 33 engines they need2. IIRC it doesn't take that long to mount engines on SH, especially as there is no shielding to be put in place with Raptor3Have they done this before? I think it would have additional risk in test firing in a setup that has relatively poor simulation coverageThe booster that had the explosion under the OLM had a small number of engine configurations. I'm sure they do not want to replicate that, or cause something else that damages more engines during this pad test check. In my opinion, it's more of a pad test than a booster test.
Quote from: catdlr on 03/08/2026 08:28 pmIt's interesting to observe how far the mounting plate extends on the outer ring of 20.I'm curious why they'd mount only 10 or so engines.1. The engine serial number is in the 130 range or so - they likely have 33 engines they need2. IIRC it doesn't take that long to mount engines on SH, especially as there is no shielding to be put in place with Raptor3Have they done this before? I think it would have additional risk in test firing in a setup that has relatively poor simulation coverage
It's interesting to observe how far the mounting plate extends on the outer ring of 20.
If they're going to static fire, why would they not space the installed engines more evenly?
I was thinking more of asymmetrical loads on the thrust structure and mount, but I guess if they are strong enough to hold 33 firing engines, 10 in any combination wouldn't be a concern.
Current Record = Last Record + 1R3.124 has just rolled past at McGregor, beating the last record of R3.123 by a single serial.
Steady Records at McGregorYesterday we saw R3.128 heading back from its test. This is the highest R3 serial we have seen so far!
McGregor is still going strong.R3.132 rolled past earlier today, a new record for the Raptor 3 family!
Rex (Raptor Engine)@Rex_MKR·What a wonderful start of the day!RVac SN77 makes a visit to the stands as we tracked through our cams at McGregor!
Rex (Raptor Engine)@Rex_MKRNot one, not two but three!Wonderful morning delivery of Raptor 3 consisting of SN131, SN39 and SN121!One of the coolest things you will see today 😁http://nsf.live/mcgregor - @NASASpaceflight
Less thrust than that today, but the long term target is 300 tons of thrust per engine for 10 kilotons of thrust at liftoff or shortly thereafter
