00:00Let's take a closer look at the impressive startup and shutdown of the Raptor 3.
00:05Because that reveals the intricacies of this engine and shows why it's so revolutionary.
00:12The startup process begins with a precise ignition sequence.
00:16First, the turbopump system is powered up,
00:18where methane and oxygen are pumped into the preburners to drive the turbines.
00:23Within seconds, the pressure reaches 350 bar and the flame ignites cleanly,
00:30without the typical pops or instabilities of earlier versions,
00:34which indicates optimized injectors that ensure even mixing.
00:39In the video, you can see slight movements of the gimbal system simulating the ascent.
00:44The engine subtly swivels to simulate control forces,
00:48and the fire remains stable with a bright blue flame indicating efficiency.
00:54Ramping up to 100% takes only milliseconds,
00:58and then it runs at full power for the entire duration.
01:01When shutting down, it cools down in a controlled manner.
01:03The fuel flow is reduced, the flame goes out cleanly without backfire,
01:09and the system flushes with nitrogen to avoid residues.
01:14A process that emphasizes reusability, since no damage occurs.
