• Pennomi@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    They’re injecting water vapor and carbon dioxide, as well as soot (not kerosene or methane). I don’t mean to imply that it’s not an issue, but that more study is warranted (the article says the same thing).

    • Peppycito@sh.itjust.works
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      3 months ago

      Do you know what those clouds are that come out of the engine at cut off and start up are? Not water vapour or carbon dioxide.

      • Pennomi@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        If we’re talking Falcon 9, the ignition is using TEA-TEB, a fairly nasty hypergolic. It burns to water vapor and carbon dioxide, plus some boron oxides.

        Starship doesn’t use a chemical igniter, so yes, there’s probably a small amount of methane that escapes during ignition. Generally though the combustion for Starship is incredibly clean, with something like a 99.5% efficiency.

        • Peppycito@sh.itjust.works
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          3 months ago

          Theres nothing to ignite unless the pumps are running full speed. The pumps keep running after after the fire goes out. What are those pumps pumping?