Re:SpaceX Has Pinpointed the Problem That Caused the Falcon9...
by fogleman on Thursday January 15, 2015 @08:50PM
(#8896814)
An open hydraulic system is more lightweight.
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Re:SpaceX Has Pinpointed the Problem That Caused the Falcon9...
by modeless on Thursday January 15, 2015 @09:22PM
(#8896925)
Where do the weight savings come from? Hydraulic fluid is heavy; it seems like you could save quite a bit of weight by carrying less of it if it wasn't expendable. Not that I don't believe it, just curious.
Re:SpaceX Has Pinpointed the Problem That Caused the Falcon9...
by rikf on Thursday January 15, 2015 @10:12PM
(#8897061)
Seems like they actually use RP-1 (rocket fuel) as the hydraulic fluid so that it is burned as fuel after it has been used. This means that the hydraulic fluid isnt "dead mass"
Re:SpaceX Has Pinpointed the Problem That Caused the Falcon9...
by TeMPOraL on Thursday January 15, 2015 @09:35PM
(#8896962)
Pumps and pipes. With an open system, you don't need to recompress the fluid and move it back, and from what I read, that hardware weights a lot.
Re:SpaceX Has Pinpointed the Problem That Caused the Falcon9...
by toomuchtodo on Thursday January 15, 2015 @10:56PM
(#8897189)
Correct! Instead of using compressor(s) and recirculation plumbing, you're using an accumulator [1]. Weight and complexity savings.