The engine uses a design called full-flow staged combustion, where both the engine’s fuel and oxidizer — liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen, respectively — go through separate preburners before going into the main combustion chamber.
The engine uses a design called full-flow staged combustion, where both the engine’s fuel and oxidizer — liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen, respectively — go through separate preburners before going into the main combustion chamber.
If SpaceX were the only company pursuing reusability, ULA could probably limp along on national security contracts. However, as soon as a second company cracks reusability, the playing field changes drastically. Looking forward to seeing which company that will be!