SpaceX Raptor 2 engines were achieving 230 tf (510,000 lbf) of thrust consistently by February 2022. SpaceX is tuning engine parameters and design to achieve at least 250 tf (550,000 lbf). Elon Musk indicated that the engine production cost was approximately half that of the Raptor 1 version SpaceX had been using in 2018–2021. SpaceX is aiming for the cost-per-tonne of thrust of each Raptor to be under $1,000 — so around $250,000 to produce.
SpaceX is building one Raptor 2 engine per day and the factory has the capacity to reach about four engines per day.
SpaceX completed Starship Flight Test mission in April 20, 2023. The Super Heavy had 33 Raptor 2 engines during the launch but 3 of those had already failed by the time the rocket started to lift from the launchpad.
Starship Raptor V1 vs. Raptor V2 = More power, less parts.
SpaceX is working to rapidly improve the Starship launch vehicle and make manufacturing cost-effective. The company has been able to achieve this with the rocket engines’ development.
Raptors are fueled by ‘Methalox’,… pic.twitter.com/vvwKgHzN76
— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@JaneidyEve) May 8, 2023
SpaceX has two Raptor engine factories.
Phase I of the second factory was an investment of $100 million in real and personal property improvements by June 30, 2024, along with a minimum of 250 new full-time jobs by June 30, 2025.
The city-county EDC provided a Phase I incentive of $4 million.
Phase II will require the company to invest another $50 million in real and personal property improvements by June 30, 2025, along with a minimum of 150 new full-time jobs and Phase I facility investment by June 30, 2026.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
