Author Topic: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3  (Read 226119 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

New thread for the Merlin 1Ds.

Thread 1:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26388.0

Thread 2:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32983.0

Resources:
Merlin 1D News Articles:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=%22Merlin+1D%22

Remember to stay on topic and not to wander into different subjects (even if they are SpaceX related). We have lots of threads and you can even start splinter threads if the discussion warrants it.
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Offline Dante80

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #1 on: 10/02/2016 11:29 pm »
During the AIC presentation, Elon Musk revealed that the development process for Falcon will be completed by the end of 2017. I'm wondering whether there is anything in store for the engines..

Offline Elmar Moelzer

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #2 on: 10/03/2016 01:40 am »
During the AIC presentation, Elon Musk revealed that the development process for Falcon will be completed by the end of 2017. I'm wondering whether there is anything in store for the engines..
It is said that they are getting yet another thrust increase, that is simply them using all their margins though, no physical changes to the engine.

Offline guckyfan

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #3 on: 10/03/2016 08:33 am »
There will be some work on making maintenance and servicing after flight easier. Like replacing cork as insulation material maybe. New legs that make handling after landing easier. Some development work but nothing that fundamentally changes Falcon 9 any more.
Likely some optimization on Falcon Heavy too.

Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #4 on: 10/03/2016 08:47 am »
Yes I think they're implementing all the lessons learned from the returned cores. Sadly they want be able to study reflown ones as early as they wanted.
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Offline Lars-J

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #5 on: 12/09/2016 11:14 pm »
I saw this on Reddit... A picture of an M1D-Vac (without nozzle extension) ready for shipping out:

Offline sdsds

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #6 on: 12/10/2016 12:02 am »
I saw this on Reddit... A picture of an M1D-Vac (without nozzle extension) ready for shipping out:

Beautiful photo; beautiful engine!

As a side note: they blurred the ID badges. But its still pretty clear what the keychain fob/strap says. ;-)
« Last Edit: 12/10/2016 12:03 am by sdsds »
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Offline gongora

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #7 on: 12/10/2016 12:25 am »
I saw this on Reddit... A picture of an M1D-Vac (without nozzle extension) ready for shipping out:

The Reddit comments section is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/5h94xv/picture_of_a_mvac_engine_sitting_inside_its/

Some interesting notes from a former employee who used to work on the MVac engines.  He left in the Fall of 2015 so some things may be a little out of date.
Comment by Foximus05 on whether employees floated between different tasks:
Quote
Not when I was there. You might float if someone was behind and needed help, but there was a set tam that only did MVAC, only did M1D's, only did octaweb, etc. the M1D guys might move around from lowers to uppers, or chambers, but not Mvac, because it required so much more attention to detail.
Comment by Foximus05 on assembly times for the engines:
Quote
When I left it was a day or two for an M1D (dependant on parts) Vs 18-21 days for an MVAC. Mvac is a lot more complex, has more systems and has a bunch of made on assembly parts
Comment by Foximus05 on M1D vs. MVac
Quote
Very. MVAC contains more systems that M1D's have inside the octaweb, along with some control valves for the second stage. The chamber and a few other parts are the only similarities. Its in the same class, but its like comparing a Small Block Chevy V8 to a Ferrari engine.

Comment by Foximus05 on MVac integration
Quote
Hey /u/zlsa very nice, just a couple MVac notes for you. The MVac Engine is integrated in Texas to the second stage. The Nozzle is not installed till right before Stage mate at the launch site.

Comment by Foximus05 on first stage thermal protection:
Quote
All of the octoweb paneling on F9 is covered in Pica-X the same material used on Dragon's heat shield. Thats the black section at the base of the rocket.

Comment by Foximus05 on M1D vs. MVac:
Quote
MVAC was around ~400 pounds heavier than M1D, sans vacuum nozzle. But that was before they went to FT and I left.

Offline Silmfeanor

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #8 on: 12/10/2016 02:47 pm »
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/807354766804168706

Quote
Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk

Forming a rocket nozzle

including a low-res version of the video as backup in case the tweet is gone

Offline S.Paulissen

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #9 on: 02/05/2017 09:54 pm »
I saw this imgur post from Reddit user: KThreeK3

It may be of interest here.  There are a LOT of up close pictures of a SL 1D.

http://imgur.com/a/f0hzh
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #10 on: 02/11/2017 06:05 am »
Quote
kate.ticeThis morning I saw my first live Merlin single engine test. I can still feel it rumbling in my chest. So. Much. Power. 😍. #spacex #rocketscience #engineering

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQWQdcslXdE/

Offline Zucal

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #11 on: 02/11/2017 06:37 am »

Offline S.Paulissen

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #12 on: 02/19/2017 02:20 pm »
Merlin 1 vac was definitively confirmed to be able to throttle below 40% during today's CRS10 launch.

Quote from: giNhaEzv_PI
That second stage engine as pretty deep throttle capability.  It can go from 81000 pounds of thrust to 210000 pounds, that's how we target that precision orbit.


81000/210000=38.5% throttleability
"An expert is a person who has found out by his own painful experience all the mistakes that one can make in a very narrow field." -Niels Bohr
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Offline Comga

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #13 on: 02/21/2017 01:07 pm »
Merlin 1 vac was definitively confirmed to be able to throttle below 40% during today's CRS10 launch.

Quote from: giNhaEzv_PI
That second stage engine as pretty deep throttle capability.  It can go from 81000 pounds of thrust to 210000 pounds, that's how we target that precision orbit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giNhaEzv_PI?t=2204

81000/210000=38.5% throttleability

That minimum is now more than the maximum for the Merlin-1A a decade ago.
What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

Offline S.Paulissen

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #14 on: 04/12/2017 11:05 am »
With 32 launches of F9 (one didn't make it off the pad), and counting Merlin 1D vac, there have been 320 Merlin 1D engines launched.  Is there another active US engine with comparable flight history?
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Offline pippin

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SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #15 on: 04/12/2017 11:48 am »
RS-25, RL-10
Oh, and technically RS-27A is also still active.
So one could say "all of them except for RS-68"
« Last Edit: 04/12/2017 11:51 am by pippin »

Offline matthewkantar

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #16 on: 04/12/2017 12:24 pm »
Although the F-9 will catch up fast with 9+ burns per flight plus a long burn or two for the closely related M vac.

Matthew

Offline envy887

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #17 on: 04/12/2017 02:36 pm »
M9D will surpass RS-25 in engine flights with 10 more F9 launches, so likely later this year. It's already surpassed RL-10, though all three are comparable (+/- 50%)

I think RS-27 variants have flown over 700 times, so that's the active leader for US engines. Ed probably has an exact number.

Offline deruch

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #18 on: 04/15/2017 04:20 am »
With 32 launches of F9 (one didn't make it off the pad), and counting Merlin 1D vac, there have been 320 Merlin 1D engines launched.  Is there another active US engine with comparable flight history?
The first 5 launches (F9v1.0) used Merlin 1C engines, no?
« Last Edit: 04/15/2017 04:20 am by deruch »
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Offline ennisj

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Re: SpaceX: Merlin 1D Updates and Discussion Thread 3
« Reply #19 on: 04/20/2017 03:11 pm »
With 32 launches of F9 (one didn't make it off the pad), and counting Merlin 1D vac, there have been 320 Merlin 1D engines launched.  Is there another active US engine with comparable flight history?
The first 5 launches (F9v1.0) used Merlin 1C engines, no?
Yes, but this brings an interesting question...

If we count the 1D and 1C as separate engines (and not variants), then shouldn't we count the RS-25, RS-25B, C, and D separately? Or the dozen or so RL-10 variants? And if we count the 1C and 1D together, then should the 1A flights of Falcon 1 be included in any tally also?

Or are the differences between the Merlin variants so much greater than the differences between the other engine variants that the Merlins variants should be thought of as different engines sharing the same name?

Edit: Correct 1B to 1A
« Last Edit: 04/20/2017 03:19 pm by ennisj »

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