Everyday Astronaut

@Erdayastronaut · Apr 11, 2024

Because the Raptor vacuum's exhaust gases at the nozzle exit are BELOW the pressure of the ambient atmosphere, the surrounding air is trying to force itself up inside the nozzle. At shut down, you see the atmosphere winning that battle to get inside the nozzle 🤯

SpaceX@SpaceX· Apr 10, 2024

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

Elon Musk

@elonmusk

Yeah

11:15 AM · April 11, 2024 · 58.1K views

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