Re:Musk explains why SpaceX prefers clusters of small engines
by Klathmon on Thursday February 08, 2018 @12:29PM
(#16333833)
I believe that was actually the reason why they moved to a "round" configuration.
They realized that the "corner" engines were doing more work, and if one of them failed it caused larger issues than they were expecting.
However in the "round" layout, all of the engines are doing the same amount of work and have a similar amount of control over the rocket, so one failing can be more easily compensated for by the surrounding engines.
They realized that the "corner" engines were doing more work, and if one of them failed it caused larger issues than they were expecting.
However in the "round" layout, all of the engines are doing the same amount of work and have a similar amount of control over the rocket, so one failing can be more easily compensated for by the surrounding engines.