SpaceX Reveals Raptor 3 Engine and Specifications

SpaceX has unveiled the Raptor 3 engine, marking significant advancements in thrust, specific impulse, and mass efficiency compared to previous versions. The Raptor 3 boasts a thrust of 280 tf, a specific impulse of 350s, and an engine mass of 1525 kg. The SpaceX Raptor 3 engine has potential to exceed 300 tons of thrust in future iterations, emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve efficiency.

Raptor 3 is 36% lighter than Raptor 1. It has 51% more thrust at sea level versus raptor 1.

Raptor 3 is 7% lighter than Raptor 2. It has 21% more thrust at sea level versus raptor 2.

Elon Musk indicates that Raptor could get another 8-10% more thrust.

Raptor 3 has 2.75 million newtons of thrust versus 2.26 million newtons for the Raptor 2.

33 Raptor 3 engines would provide 90.75 million newtons of thrust for a 33 engine super heavy booster.

35 Raptor 3 engines would provide 96.3 million newtons of thrust for a 35 engine super heavy booster.

The Saturn V had 34.5 million newtons of thrust.

If Raptor 3 is improved to over 300 tons of thrust at sea level then each engine would have 2.95 million newtons of thrust. 35 Raptor 3.X engines would provide 103.25 million newtons of thrust for a 35 engine super heavy booster.

Raptor 3 (sea level variant)

Thrust: 280tf

Specific impulse: 350s

Engine mass: 1525kg

Engine + vehicle-side commodities and hardware mass : 1720kg