Merlin 1C Rocket Engine 3D model

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Three distinct variants of the Merlin 1C engine have been manufactured. The Merlin engine designed for use with the Falcon 1 featured a movable turbopump exhaust assembly that provided roll control through exhaust vectoring. Although the variant used in the Falcon 9 first stage is almost identical to that employed on the Falcon 1, the Merlin 1C vacuum variant differs in utilizing a larger exhaust nozzle optimized for operation in a vacuum and offering the capability to be throttled between 60% and 100%. The turbopump assembly is fixed rather than movable. The Merlin 1C engine features a regeneratively cooled combustion chamber and nozzle. A Merlin 1B turbopump, altered only slightly, has been used for this purpose. In November 2007, the full mission duty firing lasted for 170 seconds,[12] it made its first flight in August 2008,[15] powered the first privately developed liquid-fueled rocket to successfully achieve orbit, the Falcon 1 Flight 4, in September 2008,[15] and provided propulsion for the maiden flight of the Falcon 9 in June 2010.[16] Configured for use on vehicles destined for the Falcon 1 program, the Merlin 1C achieved a sea-level thrust of 350 kN (78,000 lbf), while operating under vacuum conditions reached a force of 400 kN (90,000 lbf) with a specific impulse in excess of 304 seconds. With an expenditure rate of 140 kg (300 lb) per second for propellant, this variant has undergone testing successfully demonstrating its ability to sustain engine operation for up to 27 minutes.[17] The cooling mechanism within the Merlin 1C utilizes the flow of 45 kilograms (100 lb) per second of kerosene, efficiently dissipating a total thermal load of 10 megawatts (13,000 hp). Elon Musk's comments following the unsuccessful launch attempt by Falcon 1 revealed that during the initial stage flight with the new Merlin 1C engine intended for use on Falcon 9 "The flight was picture perfect." As part of its mission in 2008, a fourth Falcon 1 mission was accomplished. A malfunction was identified during the first CRS-1 mission in October 2012 at the very start. Although an unusual loss of pressure led to shutting down the engine shortly after maximum-Q conditions had been reached by the launch vehicle,[20] fortunately the main engines were able to provide sufficient thrust allowing completion of its original orbit.[21] SpaceX concluded following internal review that all essential systems except the damaged turbopump assembly survived intact; it further observed data from ground control indicating normal operational functions during post-anomaly events despite initial visual inspection observations. Future designs in progress involve increasing thrust levels. Development aimed to reach a force level greater than 560 kN (130,000 lbf), specifically for booster application of Falcon 9 and 1E but these upgrades have ultimately given precedence to upgraded versions based on improved engines from later design variants - as mentioned elsewhere within existing plans at time being implemented; hence further improvements made upon development schedule adjustments following more comprehensive revisions than current details convey.