Delta IV can't do it due to the ablative nozzle.
So what are the chances that when Raptor operations become routine that they will abandon test firing them and just use them straight off of the production line? If not why not?
Quote from: Slarty1080 on 03/24/2019 09:13 amSo what are the chances that when Raptor operations become routine that they will abandon test firing them and just use them straight off of the production line? If not why not?Why in the world would they stop testing them? They are building REUSABLE engines for REUSABLE rockets. If test/hot firing them is a problem, they have done something wrong. Think of other reusable engines. Do you think jet engines are started for the first time a in real takeoff?SpaceX is where they are because of a meticulous text program. If you think they will abandon that then you need to think again.
Quote from: Lars-J on 03/25/2019 06:14 amQuote from: Slarty1080 on 03/24/2019 09:13 amSo what are the chances that when Raptor operations become routine that they will abandon test firing them and just use them straight off of the production line? If not why not?Why in the world would they stop testing them? They are building REUSABLE engines for REUSABLE rockets. If test/hot firing them is a problem, they have done something wrong. Think of other reusable engines. Do you think jet engines are started for the first time a in real takeoff?SpaceX is where they are because of a meticulous text program. If you think they will abandon that then you need to think again.For new rockets, sure there will be tests. But I expect them to skip static fires of flown boosters in the not too distant future, probably beginning with Starlink flights. Make the launch the static fire and shut off if really needed.
Quote from: Slarty1080 on 03/24/2019 09:13 amSo what are the chances that when Raptor operations become routine that they will abandon test firing them and just use them straight off of the production line? If not why not?Somewhere between zero and zero. SpaceX will probably eliminate the preflight static fire, and might eliminate the full stage full duration test fire (possibly replacing it with an actual orbital test flight of the fully reusable stack). But they will never stop testing Raptors individually.
I've thought the full duration test fires should be phased out already. They must have enough test data by now to determine whether a booster is ready without a full burn.
Quote from: skater on 03/23/2019 05:11 pmDelta IV can't do it due to the ablative nozzle.Technically, Delta IV DID do a static fire before its maiden voyage. But to add on to your point, they probably changed engines after the test.
Usually, any launch provider conducts whats called a "wet dress rehearsal" before launch. Thats a complete countdown including fueling, where both the rocket hardware (which is often brand new and as such untested, or has been flown but through a straining reentry procedure plus several months of sitting around) and the procedures/team are tested as if. Except the rocket doesnt take off
Quote from: CorvusCorax on 03/24/2019 10:49 amUsually, any launch provider conducts whats called a "wet dress rehearsal" before launch. Thats a complete countdown including fueling, where both the rocket hardware (which is often brand new and as such untested, or has been flown but through a straining reentry procedure plus several months of sitting around) and the procedures/team are tested as if. Except the rocket doesnt take offAtlas doesn't do them anymore