Disaster! China keeps Copying SpaceX’s Raptor 3 engine and Mixed rockets But SpaceX UPPGRADE

Let's make a comparison. At first glance, these two engines may look identical, both resembling SpaceX's Raptor 3, but that's not the case. One is the real Raptor 3, while the other is, you guessed it, a Chinese-made copy. After imitating SpaceX's rockets and even their launch towers, China has now attempted to replicate SpaceX's most powerful engine, aiming to use it in a hybrid rocket that combines features of their existing vehicles. So, how close did China get to copying Raptor? And can this effort truly rival SpaceX? When it comes to China, we are no longer strangers to their ability to copy designs and technologies with astonishing precision. SpaceX being the industry leader in modern rocketry has become the most copied target. From rockets to launch towers and now engines, China has repeatedly drawn inspiration from SpaceX's breakthroughs. As the opening image of this discussion shows, SpaceX's Raptor 3 engine has now been copied. The sleek black Raptor 3 represents SpaceX's newest engine version, which is currently in production and will soon power the Starship V3 variant in just a few months. It was created to replace the Raptor 2, delivering stronger thrust while boasting an extremely simplified design. That simplicity not only improves efficiency in manufacturing, but also streamlines operations, refurbishments, and reusability. In short, it's a highly refined engine meant to power humanity's path to Mars. And yet, this same design has now surfaced on the other side of the world. The Chinese copy is called Mammoth 1, produced by a company named Star Shuttle Technology. Interestingly, in some online updates and in the branding shown on the rocket, the company also appears to operate under the name Arct. This is most likely a newly established company since it has not been widely known until now. The naming of the engine is also telling because Mammoth 1 strongly suggests that future versions or even entire families of engines could follow. With SpaceX constantly innovating, it seems this company intends to mirror those advancements step by step. The most striking thing about Mammoth 1 is its external design. At first glance, it looks almost identical to SpaceX's Raptor 3 from the nozzle to the intricate piping systems above. Even more surprising is that the company copied not only the overall shape but also the very simplification that SpaceX achieved in the Raptor 3. Like SpaceX, the Chinese design appears compact with only three or four large visible tubes, while smaller details are tucked away. If you look closely, however, there are at least two clear differences. First, the Mammoth 1 is silver, whereas the Raptor 3 has the distinctive matte black finish. Second, on the left side of the Mammoth 1, there is an unusual lever-like system that the Raptor does not have. Aside from these small distinctions, the similarities are hard to ignore. Now, let us turn to the performance details. According to available information, the Mammoth 1 will produce 240 tons of thrust at sea level, which is weaker than SpaceX's Raptor 3 at 280 tons. Still, it surpasses the Raptor 2 currently flying on Starship. This alone shows how ambitious this copy really is. Although its vacuum thrust has not been officially revealed, estimates place it somewhere between 260 and 270 tons. In terms of efficiency, the engine has an impulse of 330 seconds. While this falls short of both the Raptor 2 and 3, it's nonetheless a very competitive figure compared with most engines in service today. Structurally and mechanically, all evidence suggests the Mammoth 1 also uses a full flowstaged combustion cycle just like Raptor. Even the choice of propellants matches SpaceX's design, relying on liquid methane and liquid oxygen. As for development progress, Star Shuttle Technology announced that Mammoth 1 passed a system plan review in the first half of this year. The company intends to proceed with component testing and ignition trials before the end of the year. If everything goes according to plan, the engine could enter service by 2026. But the copying does not stop at the engine. Right next to Mammoth 1 stands another replica, the launch vehicle itself. This rocket is named Glacier 1. And just like the engine, its name suggests that future versions may follow. And once again, the design looks strikingly familiar. In fact, Glacier 1 seems to be a mashup of several rockets. Its first stage clearly resembles SpaceX's Falcon booster from its length to its grit fins and foldable landing legs. These features strongly imply that Star Shuttle technology intends to recover and reuse the first stage, very likely through drone ship landings at sea. Furthermore, the rocket is said to be constructed from stainless steel, echoing the same material choice as Starship. Looking higher up, we can see a hot staging mechanism positioned between the stages almost identical to the method SpaceX introduced for the Starship V3. The concept of hot staging where the upper stage engines ignite before separation is not new. It dates back to the Soviet N1 rocket. Yet SpaceX revived and perfected it. And now Glacier 1 mirrors this exact approach. The second stage is also a blend of inspirations. Its long structure, tapered tip, and oversized fairing are reminiscent of New Glenn, Vulcan, and Aryan 6. This design suggests that the rocket is meant to carry elongated or oversized payloads into orbit. In overall scale, Glacier 1 measures about 5 m in diameter. That makes it larger than Falcon 9, but smaller than Starship. The company has not disclosed the rocket's height, but based on images and proportion estimates, the first stage alone appears to be about 50 m tall, while the second stage stretches another 30 m. Factoring in the hot staging sstaging section, the total height likely exceeds 80 m. Images suggest Glacier 1's second stage will use a single engine, while the first may house 7 to 9, much like Falcon 9. The rocket is claimed to lift 40 tons to orbit, which with stainless steel construction, advanced staging, and reusability, promising launch costs of just tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram. On paper, this looks competitive. But can copies rival SpaceX? By skipping trial and error, China's companies leapfrog hurdles. But a copy is never the same as the original. Without SpaceX's experience, infrastructure, and years of testing, it's unlikely they can match performance, reliability, or innovation. Meanwhile, SpaceX pushes forward. By the time Mammoth 1 and Glacier 1 debut in 2026, Starship V3 with Raptor 3 engines will likely already be flying. The gap will only widen as SpaceX accelerates progress. Still, China's efforts reflect growing ambition and the influence SpaceX wields globally. Even if Glacier 1 never reaches orbit, its existence underscores how SpaceX has reshaped the industry. So, what do you think? Can these copies compete or will SpaceX stay far ahead? Me personally, while I can recognize the bold ambition behind these copies, it's clear that they face several serious problems. Let's start with the Raptor 3 engine itself. As I mentioned earlier, the Raptor 3 is SpaceX's most refined and powerful version to date. At first glance, its design looks simple, but behind that simplicity lies a wealth of advanced technologies that only SpaceX fully understands. Achieving this milestone did not come overnight. SpaceX had to endure a long and difficult process of trial, error, and improvement. They moved from the complex and less efficient Raptor 1 to the cleaner and more practical Raptor 2, and finally to the highly advanced Raptor 3. Each step required years of research, countless tests, and constant refinement. Simplifying, eliminating inefficiencies, and integrating new solutions were all part of this journey. China, however, has attempted to bypass this entire process by directly copying the Raptor 3. They did not invest the years of development and testing that SpaceX went through. This raises a critical question. Do they truly understand the technologies they have copied? The more their engine resembles the Raptor 3, the greater the doubts about whether they comprehend its inner workings. Copying is one thing, but mastering the technology behind it is another. Without that deep understanding, failures are not only possible, but likely. And once failures occur, private organizations in China may find themselves unable to recover, quickly disappearing from the competitive market. The issues do not stop with the engine. The rocket itself shows significant weaknesses. One major problem lies in the design philosophy. Chinese developers often combine features from many different rockets into one with the idea that the best rocket is simply one that includes the best designs from everywhere. But this is a flawed approach. The best rocket is the one that balances all its components to work in harmony, even if some of those parts are simple. On the other hand, mixing top tier designs that do not complement each other can create conflicts and failures. Looking back to the Glacier 1 rocket as an example, its design seems unbalanced with a second stage that is far too long. To handle such a stage effectively, the booster should be between 60 to 70 m in height to maintain control of the thrust. Extending the second stage like this suggests that the designers may have been too focused on increasing payload capacity without properly considering stability and control. Another concern is the placement of the grit bins. They're located far too close to the hot staging section. Hot staging releases tremendous energy and with grit finins so close, they are likely to be damaged during flight. This raises serious doubts about the rocket's ability to be reused, a critical feature if it wants to compete with SpaceX. From the outside, these rockets and engines may look like impressive copies of SpaceX technology. However, the problems quickly become apparent upon closer inspection. In truth, perfection seems to exist only in appearance. When examined beyond the surface, these copies cannot match the depth of engineering, the years of refinement, and the proven reliability of SpaceX's systems. In the end, it's clear that while the ambition is there, these copies will not be able to surpass SpaceX. The company moves forward in confidence. Its Falcon rockets dominating the global market through unmatched reliability and reusability. Falcon 9 and Heavy continue breaking records in launches, landings, and rapid reuses with performance and cadence expected to climb even higher in the coming years. Now begins a new chapter with Starship powered by the simplified Raptor 3 engine. Indeed, this V3 era aims to achieve orbit, master complex missions, and extend humanity's reach to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Later this year and into the next, SpaceX will have the chance to showcase its innovation as the space race heats up. The rivalry now isn't just between nations or companies, but between originals and copies. Yet, SpaceX's proven systems backed by experience and constant refinement give it a decisive edge. Unless something unexpected occurs, its lead will hold. Though, the unfolding competition ensures the race will be fascinating to watch. Starship V3 is nearing debut, bringing major upgrades across the system. Its clearest advancement is Raptor 3, a redesigned engine built for greater power, efficiency, and reliability. Yet, challenges remain before it can reach full potential. So, what makes this engine different? And what obstacles must SpaceX still overcome? You may remember a few years ago when SpaceX introduced Raptor 2. At that time, they placed Raptor 1 and 2 side by side, allowing everyone to see the dramatic improvements in both design and engineering. That comparison was striking, and it highlighted just how rapidly SpaceX was evolving its propulsion systems. This year, that tradition of comparison has been taken to an entirely new level. Towards the end of August, a photograph taken inside the Star Factory showed three prototypes from three generations of the Raptor family standing side by side. The lineup included Raptor 1, 2, and the newest member, Raptor 3, which stood out with a bold and sleek black exterior. The three prototypes were numbered 59, 352, and 20, respectively. It was clear that this arrangement was intentional, most likely prepared for the technical update that Musk recently presented. The comparison itself told a powerful story of progress. But what caught even more attention was the specific set of upgrades introduced with Raptor 3. Let us look more closely at prototype number 20. This engine is particularly interesting because it features a map of Texas, symbolizing the home of SpaceX's Starship program. Yet the real focus lies in the upper systems of the engine which have undergone notable changes compared to the first Raptor 3 prototype SN1 introduced last year. The first major change can be found at the center of the engine where SN20 has added a protective cover to the tubing system. At first glance, this might appear to be a small adjustment. However, this addition plays a crucial role in shielding the system from vibrations and the extreme heat that occurs during operation. By doing so, it not only protects sensitive components, but also makes the engine more organized and reliable. The second improvement appears on the side of the same area. In the earlier SN1 prototype, this section was exposed and the screw points were visible in large numbers. These points were connected to turbines that help pump methane into the combustion chamber. With SN20, this part has now been enclosed to form a more unified block. Since turbines are delicate and highly sensitive components, this protective design greatly increases their durability and reliability during high stress operations. The third change lies in the ring at the end of the hot gas duct. Compared to earlier versions, the ring now appears to be larger and more reinforced. It's possible that SpaceX has switched from flanges to welding in its construction. Welding reduces mass, minimizes the risk of leaks, and generally provides a more secure and longlasting connection. This change not only simplifies the design, but also enhances safety and efficiency. Taken together, these changes reveal just how much progress SpaceX has made in a relatively short time. After testing several prototypes, they have already moved toward a more refined and better protected version of Raptor 3. Prototype SN20 in particular shows that SpaceX is prioritizing high reliability while steadily addressing weaknesses found in earlier designs. It's important to note that Raptor 3 remains a work in progress. What we are seeing now is not yet the final version, but rather the product of continuous improvements and lessons learned. SpaceX has built its reputation on exactly this approach. Test aggressively, learn quickly, and upgrade constantly. So why was SpaceX able to identify problems? so quickly and implement these upgrades? The answer lies not only in visual inspections, but also in relentless testing. Since the debut of Raptor 3 last year, reports suggest that engine testing at McGregor has been extremely intense. Some weeks have seen as many as 24 engine burns, with both Raptor 2 and three included in the schedule. Many of these tests deliberately pushed the engines to their limits, sometimes even resulting in explosions. These extreme conditions were not setbacks, but but purposeful experiments designed to expose weaknesses. It's through this rigorous process that SpaceX has been able to detect issues and immediately apply fixes, leading to the kinds of upgrades we see now in SN20. Raptor 3 is still evolving, but the progress is clear. Every adjustment, from protective covers to redesigned welds, represents a step closer to a more reliable and powerful engine. With this kind of progress, SpaceX continues to demonstrate why its engines remain at the forefront of modern rocketry. What are your thoughts on these latest upgrades to Raptor 3? Share them in the comments below, and don't forget to like the video and subscribe to our channel so you can continue following SpaceX's remarkable journey. Indeed, Raptor 3 remains one of SpaceX's greatest engineering challenges. With the startup sequence at the core of its difficulty, Musk has called it very complex and requiring insane timing precision to avoid blowing up the engine. This is no exaggeration. The engine uses a full flowstaged combustion cycle where methane and oxygen pass through pre-burners before final combustion. The system maximizes efficiency but demands flawless precision. Igniters, chill down processes, and turbines spinning at extreme speeds must all work in perfect harmony. Even small imbalances can trigger destructive vibrations. Timing is measured in milliseconds, and the engine must repeat this reliably across many flights to achieve reusability. SpaceX is also pursuing simplification. By reducing parts, replacing flanges and bolts with welded joints, and combining smaller components into larger assemblies, Raptor 3 becomes lighter, cheaper, and less prone to failure. Simplification also shortens refurbishment times, critical for rapid turnaround. Comparing Raptor 1, 2, and 3, the progress is clear. Fewer delicate parts mean faster, safer manufacturing. However, this strategy introduces new risks. Larger integrated sections face higher mechanical stress and welded joints, though stronger, complicate maintenance. If one fails, engineers cannot simply unbolt it. They may need to cut it apart. These hurdles underscore the balance SpaceX must achieve. Power, reliability, reusability, and simplicity, all without compromising safety. Each refinement brings Raptor 3 closer to maturity, shaping it into the engine that could power humanity's path to the moon, Mars, and beyond. And with the recent upgrades, the next big question is whether Raptor 3 is truly ready for its long awaited debut. The images of SN20 that surfaced in August suggest that SpaceX may already have enough engines to support a flight. As always, a full mission requires 33 engines for the Superheavy booster and six for the Starship upper stage. Based on the progress so far, it's reasonable to believe that SpaceX has already built more than 20 Raptor 3 units. For the moment, there is little need to worry about the exact number of available engines. Thanks to the simplification of Raptor 3's design and major improvements in SpaceX's manufacturing system, production is expected to accelerate rapidly. In fact, it could soon surpass the impressive Raptor 2 rate of nearly one engine per day. Even so, SpaceX must plan ahead for a future where the number of Starship flights rises dramatically, as the current pace may eventually prove insufficient. Right now, there is still plenty of time to prepare enough engines for the first Raptor 3 powered mission. If flight 11 stays on track for October, then flight 12, which is expected to mark the debut of Raptor 3, could be ready by December. The transition is already in motion. B18 is in the final stages of stacking with its common dome, forward section, and the hot staging ring already moved from Staractory to Mega Bay 1. This indicates B18 could be ready for cryogenic testing by midmon after which the engines will be installed. Meanwhile, S39 will follow a similar process. Though it is slightly behind in stacking, its engines may be installed by late October or early November. We are standing at the precipice of the Raptor 3 era with more power, greater reliability, and smarter design. This new engine promises to push the Starship program into a bold new phase of development. The countdown has truly begun. And thus, the upgrades in Raptor 3 are not only designed to improve performance in the present, but also to lay the foundation for the long-term future of the Starship program. It's very likely that Raptor 3 will not be the final evolution in the Raptor family. Musk has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of future versions that could achieve more than 330 tons of thrust at sea level, which may be labeled as Raptor 3X or even Raptor 4. Musk himself has confirmed that such a version will be essential if Starship is to achieve a total liftoff thrust exceeding 10,000 tons. His most recent updates reinforce this point. In fact, the planned Starship V4 vehicle is expected to deliver 10,000 tons of thrust on Superheavy and 2,700 tons of thrust on the ship itself. With the current Raptor 3 output of around 280 tons of thrust per engine, the numbers still fall short of what will be required to reach these ambitious goals. This means that a more powerful engine is almost certainly in development. Beyond increasing raw thrust, future versions will continue to focus on design simplicity, reliability, and rapid reusability, which are the cornerstones of SpaceX's strategy. By refining integration, reducing part counts, and streamlining manufacturing, the company hopes to scale up power while maintaining efficiency. Reaching 10,000 tons of thrust would mark a historic milestone, setting a completely new standard for rocket capability. As Musk pointed out, this level of power would be more than three times greater than the legendary Saturn 5 rocket, making it nearly impossible for other space programs to keep pace with Starship's rising capabilities. According to the current road map, Starship V4 is scheduled for launch in 2027. This means that new engine variants, whether they are called Raptor 3X or 4, will likely begin individual testing as early as next year. The performance of Raptor 3 will serve as the critical foundation for those upgrades with its successes and shortcomings guiding future improvements. If all goes according to plan, next year could see multiple Starship flights equipped with Raptor 3, giving SpaceX the chance to evaluate realworld performance at scale. These flights will help determine the exact path toward the next generation of engines, ensuring that when Raptor 3X or 4 arrives, it'll be ready to push Starship into an era of unprecedented power and reusability. That being said, SpaceX is continuing to upgrade Starship through its engine system, and the Raptor engine serves as the clearest example of this ongoing evolution. The debut of Raptor 3 will be an important turning point, marking the beginning of a new chapter in SpaceX's drive toward fully reusable, powerful, and reliable spacecraft. So, let us wait and see how Raptor 3 transforms the way Starship operates and brings humanity one step closer to a true multilanetary future. This has been Kevin with Great SpaceX. Don't forget to like the video and subscribe if you haven't already to stay up to date with yours truly on the latest milestones in SpaceX's journey. Thank you so much for watching and always remember, curiosity, imagination, and inspiration will follow you so long as you keep looking up.