Merlin engine – Behind The Black

SpaceX has successfully completed a full duration test firing of 9 upgraded Merlin engines.

July 16, 2013 8:33 am Robert Zimmerman

The competition heats up: SpaceX has successfully completed a full duration test firing of 9 upgraded Merlin engines.

The full mission duration firing of the next generation Falcon 9 booster was completed on Sunday. The booster’s nine Merlin 1D engines fired for approximately three minutes, simulating what the booster may experience in flight before stage separation.

With this success, I suspect they are finally ready to begin their commercial launches. The first is presently scheduled for September 5.

It appears that SpaceX has completed another test firing of its new Merlin engine.

July 15, 2013 7:48 am Robert Zimmerman

The competition heats up: It appears that SpaceX has completed another test firing of its new Merlin engine.

SpaceX has successfully tested an upgraded version of its Merlin rocket engine.

June 25, 2012 4:55 pm Robert Zimmerman

SpaceX has successfully tested an upgraded version of its Merlin rocket engine. Video at the link.

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SpaceX outlines its new design goals for Falcon 9

January 11, 2012 9:09 pm Robert Zimmerman

What competition brings: SpaceX outlines its new design goals for Falcon 9 and its Merlin rocket engine.

[U]pcoming upgrades to the engine (Merlin 1D) will provide a vast improvement in performance, reliability and manufacturability – all of which could provide a timely boost to aiding the potential for success for the fully reusable Falcon 9.

Increased reliability: Simplified design by eliminating components and sub-assemblies. Increased fatigue life. Increased chamber and nozzle thermal margins,” noted SpaceX in listing the improvements in work.

Improved Performance: Thrust increased from 95,000 lbf (sea level) to 140,000 lbf (sea level). Added throttle capability for range from 70-100 percent. Currently, it is necessary to shut off two engines during ascent. The Merlin 1D will make it possible to throttle all engines. Structure was removed from the engine to make it lighter.

Improved Manufacturability: Simplified design to use lower cost manufacturing techniques. Reduced touch labor and parts count. Increased in-house production at SpaceX.

That’s just the engine. Most of the article however talks about the company’s effort to make as much of Falcon 9 reusable as possible. Hat tip to Clark Lindsey.