That's 300 Bar over the throat area, so the forces would drop off as you
go outwards from the center of impingements. But that's correct, total
force would be the rockets thrust of 15MLbF.
Ken
On Sat, Apr 22, 2023 at 8:29 AM James Fackert <jimfackert@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
agreed, high water table is an issue, so leave it filled with water and
drain it when launch is imminent, or let 4000 psi create a directed wall of
water at ignition...;o))
or build it on the surface, as has been done elsewhere. Maybe the
Saturn 1B deflector is available. It sat under the launch table,on the
surface, I believe. Probably too small though.
With Raptor II - an immense number of engines have been built, tested,
improved and some blown up. I think it's reliability far exceeds what
might be guessed from this flight, with so many engines out. 10% at launch,
25% in flight, and more failing after max Q but before separation.
Damage during ignition and pre-liftoff firing is to blame, I think,
whether from flying junk or from incredible reflected/constrained acoustic
radiative and pressure energy.
They brought in a massive amount of fill, and carefully compacted to
stabilize the starbase site. Maybe its time for more.
The launch tower is a stacked structure. It may be fairly easy to add a
few sections without major redesign.
Anyone hear about the survival of starship heat shield tiles through
launch and max Q rigors? It seems that may have been another successful
aspect of the test flight.
Also interesting that the next ship will have electric, not hydraulic
gymbal actuators.