[AR] Re: Congrats SpaceX

  • From: Ed Kelleher <Pres@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2018 06:33:12 -0500

Somehow I got the idea they used separate single shot reservoirs and valves for TEA/TEB , one per start/restart. Would seem to be more reliable and maybe easier to setup for next launch:.No TEA/TEB tank emptying/filling, swap out cylinder/valve sets.

And no valve didn't shut, stuff leaks out failure mode.

But if they ran out, I guess not.

Ed Kelleher




.At 09:08 PM 02/06/2018, David Arnold wrote:

Specifically, the centre engine relit, but the outer two did not, for the intended 3-engine landing burn. End result was 300mph impact with the water.

Musk said that they ran out of “boron”, which I assume means the TEA/TEB that the Merlin uses for ignition.

(See roughly 16:50 into the press conference. The audio quality is poor, but I think “boron” was the key, rather than the actual propellant).


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