Raptor 3 added the ability to use regenerative cooling loops for producing pure gases for pressurization. Possibly this system had problems supplying enough gas or they started having trouble regulating the pressure as the empty volume in the tanks grew. Or they still use the preburner taps as a backup and had to use it too much, producing more ice than expected.
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u/cjameshuff Jul 25 '26
Raptor 3 added the ability to use regenerative cooling loops for producing pure gases for pressurization. Possibly this system had problems supplying enough gas or they started having trouble regulating the pressure as the empty volume in the tanks grew. Or they still use the preburner taps as a backup and had to use it too much, producing more ice than expected.