Author Topic: Raptor Development and Test (Read 1816 times)

FlokiViking · « **on:** 10/21/2017 01:30 am »

After a quick search, there appears to not be a topic with focus on the Raptor engines.

I recommend this topic to capture and discuss what we find out about development and test of the Raptor engine family.
It might also be a good place to capture details of Raptor design and performance.

FlokiViking · « **Reply #1 on:** 10/21/2017 01:34 am »

Just ran across this...

SPACEX has $40.8m U.S. Air Force contract for the development of Raptor rocket
propulsion system prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California, has been awarded a $40,766,512 modification (P00007) for the development of the Raptor rocket propulsion system prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. Work will be performed at NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Hawthorne, California; McGregor, Texas; and Los Angeles Air Force Base, California; and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2018. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $40,766,512 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-16-9-0001).

See 7th notice at:
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1348379/

FlokiViking · « **Reply #2 on:** 10/21/2017 01:39 am »

I wonder if there is any relationship to a previous Air Force contract to SpaceX for a "Raptor upper stage engine" referenced here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39310.0

This new award doesn't seem to limit the contract to upper stage work. Does anyone have additional info?

It's also interesting that this award comes from the Air Force EELV program office.
Makes me wonder when the AF will establish their ERLV^* program office...

^* Evolved Reusable Launch Vehicle