SpaceX’s giant Starship uses a specialized nozzle size in the upper atmosphere and outer space. The company has now shared a slow-motion of Starship’s Raptor vacuum engine shutdown, which shows this unique milestone in action.
The video shows Raptor simulating operation at sea level and low chamber pressures resulting in flow separation creating visible rings in the exhaust.
Shutdown of a Raptor vacuum engine in slow motion. The engine’s nozzle is sized for use by Starship in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and outer space, so operation at sea level and low chamber pressures results in flow separation creating visible rings in the exhaust pic.twitter.com/1Z42WIRnX7
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 10, 2024