KSP Doesn't Teach: Rocket Engine Plumbing
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended whenever rocket engine cycles or turbopumps come up, as a clear introduction from a trusted explainer.
What it is
Scott Manley explains the plumbing of rocket engines, including pressure-fed, gas generator, expander and staged combustion cycles. He shows why more complex designs exist and what they gain.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2019 to 2019.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec mabbo · 2019-02 · on “The Tech Behind SpaceX’s New Engine”
Scott Manley has a fantastic video explaining all of this: [this video] In terms of efficiency, it's worth mentioning that even tiny gains have big impacts because of the rocket equation. Having a 1% boost the entire time the rocket is running can have an enormous impact in the overall velocity, or reduce the overall amount of fuel needed for the same targets.
Recommends JshWright · 2019-08 · on “150 Meter SpaceX Starhopper Test [video]”
Calling Raptor "really complex" still manages to undersell it a bit, in my opinion. It's pushing the state of the art in rocket engine design pretty significantly. It's the first full flow closed cycle engine to fly. For folks who are interested in learning more about rocket engines, Scott Manley is a great resource: [this video]
Recommends paranoidrobot · 2019-10 · on “Pro (noun.), abbreviation of Professional: born 1798, died 2019, aged 221”
If you're interested, Scott Manley gives a good intro to the way rocket engines work, and in particular turbo pumps[1] at ~3:30. [1] [this video]