Even using F-1 engines you would need about 20. ITS is really big. The N-1
had a couple of problems, but trying to assemble the rocket in the desert
using virgin engines didn't help their success rate. SpaceX has barge
transport to both potential ITS sites, and has engines that can be tested.
A bigger engine is also not helpful to SpaceX as an entity. Raptor as it is
can be used in many places on the vehicle. SpaceX is already firing 27
engines simultaneously, erroneously or not they believe that clusters are
viable strategies.
On Wed, Sep 28, 2016, 10:35 AM John Dom <johndom@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://spacenews.com/spacex-unveils-mars-mission-plans/
what/who convinced Elon that to go for 42 engines in stage 1 makes sense?
Reusable en plus! Could it be developing F1 size motors is beyond the
SpaceX budget or capability?
Will SpaceX go for Korolev’s N-1 rocket, the disaster design? N-1 had
“only” 30 engines in stage 1, not reusable.
Instead of going for 40 H-1 (the Saturn 1B engine) the number required for
the 35000 kN Apollo thrust, NASA chose the hard way of developing F-1 of
which only 5 sufficed in the first stage.
jd
