Lift-off at about 35:00.

 

Lift-off at about 35:00.

Could they make it any more phallic looking?

Interesting lack of smoke and steam from the engine.

 

Could they make it any more phallic looking?

... a couple of spherical tanks at the bottom on each side, perhaps? ...

 

Interesting lack of smoke and steam from the engine.

BE-3 engine is fueled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Only exhaust product is water - and that is too hot to condense anywhere near the exhaust stream.

 

BE-3 engine is fueled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Only exhaust product is water - and that is too hot to condense anywhere near the exhaust stream.

Wasn't the Saturn 5 also that fuel system?

 

Wasn't the Saturn 5 also that fuel system?

No, it was the same as Falcon 9: kerosene and liquid oxygen.

 

The second and third stages of the Saturn use LH2/LOX engines. The second stage of the SpaceX F9 also uses LH2/LOX. LH2/LOX has a higher ISP (Specific Impulse) but kerosene/LOX has a greater volumetric efficiency.

 

The second stage of the SpaceX F9 also uses LH2/LOX.

AFAIK it uses liquid oxygen and RP-1, same as the first stage. I don't recall reading anything about LH2 being used on any of the Merlin engines, either sea-level or the MVAC engine.

 

Launching in west Texas instead of Canaveral could be a big factor also. Huge difference in humidity.

 

Launching in west Texas instead of Canaveral could be a big factor also. Huge difference in humidity.

I'm assuming that air dryness is a desirable launch condition?

 

My guess would be population in case Murphy decides to exercise his law.

 

AFAIK it uses liquid oxygen and RP-1, same as the first stage. I don't recall reading anything about LH2 being used on any of the Merlin engines, either sea-level or the MVAC engine.

You are correct sir. My bad.