This ROCKET ENGINE WASN'T DESIGNED BY HUMANS

Understanding Regenerative Cooling in Rocket Engines

The Concept of Regenerative Cooling

• The engine exhaust is extremely hot, yet the engine itself remains cold due to regenerative cooling, which circulates cold propellants through the engine walls.

• This innovative design utilizes an aerospike structure that is 3D printed in copper, showcasing advanced engineering techniques.

Monolithic Engine Design

• The discussion introduces monolithic engines made from a single part, minimizing assembly requirements and enhancing efficiency.

• Leap71, founded by engineers Lean and Josephine, has developed an algorithm called Noiron capable of designing various structures beyond rockets.

The Unique Approach of Noiron Algorithm

Distinction from Traditional AI

• Unlike traditional AI that learns through imitation and trial-and-error, Noiron understands the fundamental principles behind designs.

• It can derive how to create functional rocket engines based on scientific knowledge rather than just mimicking existing designs.

Successful Engine Designs

• Noiron has successfully designed multiple rocket engines that function perfectly, demonstrating its effectiveness in engineering applications.

Building a Liquid Rocket Engine

Choosing Propellants

• The process begins with selecting between liquid or solid rocket engines; liquid engines are preferred for their throttle control capabilities.

• Liquid oxygen is chosen as an oxidizer due to its efficiency but requires extreme cooling to remain liquid (−183°C).

Injector Selection and Combustion Chamber Design

• Kerosene is selected as fuel for its availability and stability as a liquid.

• An impinging injector design is proposed for mixing propellants effectively without causing pre-combustion explosions.

Combustion Chamber Considerations

Types of Nozzles

• Two nozzle types are discussed: dual nozzles known for reliability versus aerospikes which adapt better to varying pressures but may be more complex.

Rocket Engine Cooling Techniques

Challenges in Rocket Engine Design

• The laval design is preferred for rocket engines, but cooling remains a significant challenge due to extreme combustion temperatures exceeding 3,000° C.

• Kerosene is used for cooling by flowing it through the engine walls, which helps absorb heat and aids ignition, despite oxygen being colder.

• Liquid oxygen can cool more effectively at -183° C; however, it risks boiling off before reaching the injector if overheated.

Historical Context and Innovations

• The F1 engine from the Saturn V mission utilized kerosene cooling with miles of thin copper tubes to manage heat; failure could have led to catastrophic outcomes during the Apollo missions.

• Modern advancements allow for 3D printing of complex engine parts, exemplified by Econity 3D's single-part production of an advanced rocket engine.

Aerospike Engine Cooling Methods

• The Insanity Aerospike employs dual cooling methods: internal oxygen cooling and external fuel cooling, essential for smaller aerospikes.

• Leap 71 experimented with various materials like aluminum and Inconel to withstand high temperatures while testing different thrust levels and injector designs.

Data Utilization in Engine Development

• Testing data feeds into Noron’s algorithmic learning process, enhancing future designs based on previous performance insights rather than traditional engineering methods.

• Prior tests included a Daval design using liquid methane that required special seals to prevent leaks; its unique combustion chamber shape improved efficiency by slowing propellant flow.

Performance Issues and Future Improvements

• Current challenges include visible green flames indicating copper burning; this necessitated shortening test durations due to overheating components turning into fuel.

• The goal is not just creating an optimal rocket engine but developing an algorithm capable of designing superior engines autonomously.