A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Space Science » Policy
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

US Air Force explores space-based cargo operations, confirms talkswith SpaceX



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #13  
Old October 29th 18, 02:49 AM posted to sci.space.policy
Fred J. McCall[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,018
Default US Air Force explores space-based cargo operations, confirms talks with SpaceX

JF Mezei wrote on Sun, 28 Oct 2018
14:02:38 -0400:

On 2018-10-27 17:51, Alain Fournier wrote:

BFS will burn liquid methane. I'm not sure what would happen if you
replaced the methane with LNG. Possibly it would fly, possibly it would
go kaboum. Even if LNG is mostly liquid methane, there typically is near
10% of ethane, propane, butane and small amounts of other stuff. In some
cases the difference can have consequences.


Are rocket engines extremely sensitive to fuel density? or do they allow
for a range of density so that the turbines don't go kablooey if fed
with slightly different fuel?


The density difference between liquid methane and LNG is (at most)
around 10%. It's typically much less. Navy fighter planes use JP-8
ashore and JP-5 at sea. The two fuels vary in density by about 5% and
have different properties. Given that, I wouldn't expect a rocket,
which is a much simpler machine than a jet, to have problems over
minor differences in fuel density.


--
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable
man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore,
all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
--George Bernard Shaw
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Live coverage: SpaceX delays cargo launch to International Space Station to Friday Spaceflight Now Space Shuttle 0 December 14th 17 03:47 AM
Boeing proposes X-37B for ISS cargo/crew operations Jeff Findley[_2_] Policy 12 August 1st 13 04:30 AM
Air Force misguided on X-37B operations costs? Me Policy 0 April 29th 10 05:21 PM
Air Force misguided on X-37B operations costs? Jonathan Policy 5 April 28th 10 03:31 AM
Air Force misguided on X-37B operations costs? Jonathan Policy 2 April 28th 10 12:21 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.