Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is to develop a regeneratively cooled engine called Merlin-2, which will be more powerful than the 77,000lb-thrust (342kN) Merlin-1 that powers the first stage of its 1.2t -to-low-Earth-orbit Falcon 1 launcher.
The decision follows problems with the Merlin-1’s development due to the ablative cooling system for its combustion chamber. The problems caused delays to the maiden flight of the Falcon 1, which was to take place finally on 25 November. SpaceX will not comment on whether the Merlin-2 would replace the Merlin-1 or the in-development Merlin-1b, which is to power the planned 9.65t-to-geostationary-transfer-orbit Falcon 9 rocket.
“Our mistake was not to go with a regeneratively cooled chamber. We thought ablative would be cheaper,” says SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk. He is also talking about developing an engine that would be the largest operational powerplant in the world.
More information will be available by March, but Musk says the engine would not be bigger than the Saturn V’s F-1 engine. Musk says that he has invested $100 million so far and is prepared to spend another $100 million of his own money to develop the Falcon 9, although he will first seek outside funding early next year in an attempt to raise the $100 million.
Falcon 9 is to be launched from the Reagan Test Range on Omelek island near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific.
Source: Flight International