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SpaceX reveals why the last two Starships failed as another launch draws near (arstechnica.com)

submitted 7 months ago by llamacoffee@lemmy.world to c/spacex@sh.itjust.works

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[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

I found some info! It is indeed part of the autogenous pressurisation system.

Diagram from mcrs987:

Photo from megagoose11 / Kevin Randolph:

Someone also dredged up a 189-page PDF on Designing and Optimization of Pressurizing Gas Diffusers in Cryogenic Methane Tanks: A Technical Approach if you're really interested :)

Edit: Also, direct links to the Flight 9 and Ship 36 report (archive) and the Flight 10 webpage (archive).

[–] sleep_deprived@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 7 months ago

Well, I took the plunge. From the thesis:

The diffuser introduces the pressurant gas into the propellant tank as a critical component of the pressurization system in a liquid propulsion engine. Element present in both pressurization systems (self-pressurization and by inert gases), the diffuser makes the pressurant enter the propellant tank at a desired direction and velocity to keep the pressure inside the tank at the design level during the pressurization activities without the engine working (on-ground operations or during coasting phase) and to avoid the creation of zones where the operating pressure falls below a threshold value of NPSH during engine firing.

[–] sleep_deprived@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 7 months ago

Hell yeah, great work. Thanks for reporting back, I was very curious about this too!