Elon Musk's SpaceX Announced NEW Raptor 4 Upgrade...Shocked the whole Industry

SpaceX never ceases to amaze. Elon Musk’s space company has been at the forefront of revolutionizing space travel, and with the unveiling of the Raptor 3 engine, it set a new benchmark for performance and innovation. But what most people don’t yet realize is that SpaceX is secretly working on something even more powerful — the Raptor 4.

Expected to redefine deep space exploration, Raptor 4 could be the engine that takes humanity to Mars. Experts believe its design and performance will be so far ahead that it could take the rest of the world two decades to catch up.

What Is Raptor 4 and Why Is It Important?

A Leap Beyond the Raptor 3

On August 3rd, 2024, SpaceX officially unveiled the Raptor 3 engine, shaking the global aerospace community. With sleeker design, fewer components, and insane performance upgrades, it showcased the power of SpaceX’s iterative engineering philosophy.

But as impressive as Raptor 3 is — delivering up to 280 tons of thrust and 350 seconds of ISP — Raptor 4 aims to do even more.

The Need for a New Engine

To realize the dream of settling Mars, SpaceX needs engines that can support:

Long-duration deep space missions
Heavy payloads (200+ tons)
Orbital refueling
Lunar and Martian landings

And Raptor 3, while powerful, falls slightly short in terms of specific impulse and thrust-to-weight ratio for truly optimal interplanetary missions.

Clues from Elon Musk and Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut)

In a conversation between Elon Musk and space YouTuber Tim Dodd, Musk casually dropped a game-changing hint: a new engine in the works with 330 tons of thrust.

That statement sent shockwaves across the space industry. Because at the time, Raptor 3 had just debuted with 280 tons of thrust. A 330-ton engine would be a massive leap forward — and thus began speculation about Raptor 4.

Raptor 4: Unrivaled Power and Efficiency

Raw Thrust Power

At a projected 330 tons of thrust, Raptor 4 will be around 17% stronger than Raptor 3. For comparison:

F1 engine from Saturn V: 690 tons of thrust
Raptor 4: ~330 tons per engine
Starship with 33 Raptor 4s: 10,890 tons of liftoff thrust

That’s over three times the power of Saturn V, which took humans to the Moon.

Unbelievable Specific Impulse (ISP)

Raptor 4 is expected to achieve up to 380 seconds of ISP, possibly even at sea level — something previously thought unachievable.

To put it in perspective:

F1 engine ISP: 304 seconds (vacuum)
Raptor 3 ISP: 350–380 seconds (depending on variant)
Raptor 4 ISP: Up to 380+ seconds (sea level and vacuum)

Higher ISP means greater fuel efficiency, longer mission range, and higher payload capacity.

Simplified Design = Lower Cost + Faster Production

Manufacturing Revolution

SpaceX’s engine production timeline:

Raptor 1: 11 days per engine
Raptor 2: 2 days
Raptor 3: 1 day (targeted)
Raptor 4: Even faster, cheaper, and simpler

With each iteration, SpaceX has reduced complexity and increased automation. Raptor 4 continues this trend, using:

Welded assemblies (fewer bolts and flanges)
Fewer sensors
Integrated systems
Stronger, more heat-resistant components

This results in faster turnaround, fewer failure points, and lower production costs.

Cost Target: $250,000 per Engine

Elon Musk has openly targeted a production cost of $250,000 per engine. Although Raptor 4 may initially cost around $500,000, mass production could eventually make that ambitious goal a reality.

Compare that to the RS-25 engines used by NASA’s SLS rocket, which cost over $100 million each.

When Will We See Raptor 4 Fly?

Not Soon — But Not Too Far Either

Raptor 4 remains unannounced publicly, but signs point toward active development behind the scenes. Based on SpaceX’s track record:

Raptor 1 to Raptor 2: 2 years
Raptor 2 to Raptor 3: 2 years
Raptor 4: Likely around 2028

SpaceX’s aggressive cadence and recent expansion of production facilities in Texas and Florida suggest they’re preparing for next-level scale.

Raptor 3: The Stepping Stone to Raptor 4

While Raptor 4 remains in the shadows, Raptor 3 is already turning heads.

Raptor 3 Highlights:

280 tons of thrust
350 seconds ISP at sea level
306 tons of thrust in vacuum
Chamber pressure: 350 bar (sea level), potentially higher in vacuum
Serial Numbers Seen: Up to SN20, as of early 2025
Over 300 successful test fires

Raptor 3 powers Starship Block 3 (Ship 39 and Booster 18), the next generation that aims to:

Deliver 100–120 tons to LEO
Support lunar missions
Test orbital refueling
Eventually return humans to the Moon

How Raptor 3 Solved Old Problems

During Starship Flight 7, a fuel leak in the aft section caused catastrophic failure. The problem was linked to the Raptor engine environment, even if not directly caused by the engines.

Thanks to Raptor 3’s redesigned cooling loops, improved seals, and better thermal management, such failures are no longer possible, according to Elon Musk.

SpaceX’s Advantage: Speed + Risk-Tolerance

While legacy aerospace companies take 10+ years to develop one engine, SpaceX built three generations of Raptor in under a decade:

Raptor 1: 6 years (2014–2020)
Raptor 2: ~2 years
Raptor 3: ~2 years
Raptor 4: Expected by 2028

SpaceX pushes their engines to the absolute limit during testing, sometimes intentionally causing failures to gather data — a strategy few others are willing to risk.

Russia’s Plasma Engine vs. SpaceX

In parallel, Russia’s Rosatom recently unveiled a magnetic plasma engine producing 6 newtons of thrust with a specific impulse over 10,000 seconds — over 20x higher than chemical rockets.

But there’s a catch:

Plasma engines are great for long-term deep space propulsion
But they lack the raw power needed for liftoff from Earth

In other words, they complement but don’t replace chemical engines like Raptor 4.

Pulsar Fusion’s Sunbird Project: Helping Starship Reach Mars

A company called Pulsar Fusion is developing the Sunbird, a plasma-powered transfer vehicle that could dock with Starship in orbit and extend its range using high-efficiency propulsion.

Key highlights:

Direct Fusion Drive
10,000–15,000 seconds ISP
2 megawatts of onboard power generation
Launch-ready via Falcon 9

This could allow Starship to reach Mars with less fuel, enabling more payload or crew.

Future of SpaceX: 1,000 Starships per Year?

Elon Musk has floated the idea of building:

1,000 Starships per year
Requiring 108 sea level and 18 vacuum engines per day

That sounds insane — but SpaceX is building the factories, automation, and workforce to make this dream real within the next 5 years.

When Will Raptor 3 Fly?

Currently, Starship flights are still using Raptor 2, but with Booster 18 and Ship 39 completed, the first true Block 3 flight is likely by Flight 13 or 14, around:

December 2025 – January 2026

That’s when we’ll finally see Raptor 3 in action, paving the way for Raptor 4.

Final Thoughts: A New Era of Rocketry

SpaceX’s Raptor 4 engine may not be flying yet, but it’s already changing the game.

By achieving:

330 tons of thrust
Up to 380 seconds ISP
Rapid production
Low cost
Robust reusability

…SpaceX is creating the engine that will take humans to Mars — and beyond.

And the industry? They’re watching in awe and disbelief, knowing that catching up might take decades.

FAQs

1. What is the Raptor 4 engine?

Raptor 4 is an upcoming methane-fueled rocket engine being developed by SpaceX as a successor to the Raptor 3. It’s expected to deliver over 330 tons of thrust and feature major improvements in efficiency, reliability, and reusability.

2. How is Raptor 4 different from Raptor 3?

Raptor 4 will offer:

Higher thrust (330+ tons vs. 280 tons)
Improved specific impulse (up to 380 seconds)
Simplified, cost-effective design
Faster production times

3. When will Raptor 4 be released or tested?

SpaceX has not officially announced Raptor 4, but based on their development timeline, it may begin testing between 2026–2028.

4. How powerful is the Raptor 4 engine?

Raptor 4 is expected to produce 330 tons of thrust, making it one of the most powerful methane-fueled engines ever developed.

5. What is the ISP (specific impulse) of Raptor 4?

The target ISP for Raptor 4 is rumored to be up to 380 seconds, which is exceptionally high for a full-flow staged combustion engine using methane and liquid oxygen.

6. Why is Raptor 4 important for Mars missions?

Raptor 4 will:

Enable larger payloads
Support orbital refueling
Be more efficient for deep space travel
Work well in both Earth and Martian atmospheres

7. How much will a Raptor 4 engine cost?

SpaceX aims to reduce the cost to $250,000 per engine, though early units may cost closer to $500,000. This is significantly cheaper than traditional rocket engines.

8. Will Raptor 4 replace Raptor 3 entirely?

Eventually, yes. Raptor 4 is designed as the next step in engine evolution, likely to power later versions of Starship after Raptor 3 completes its test phase.

9. What rockets will use the Raptor 4?

Raptor 4 will be used in:

Starship Block 4 and future variants
Interplanetary Starship missions
Cargo-heavy Starship launches for Mars and Moon

10. Is Raptor 4 reusable?

Yes. Like previous Raptor engines, Raptor 4 is expected to be fully reusable, potentially supporting dozens of flights with minimal refurbishment.

11. How does Raptor 4 compare to NASA’s RS-25 engine?

Thrust: Raptor 4 = 330 tons | RS-25 = 227 tons
Cost: Raptor 4 = <$500k | RS-25 = $100M+
Reusability: Raptor 4 is designed for reuse; RS-25 is technically reusable but costly

12. What type of fuel does Raptor 4 use?

Raptor 4 uses methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX). This makes it ideal for ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) on Mars, where methane can be synthesized.

13. Where is Raptor 4 being developed?

SpaceX is likely developing Raptor 4 at its McGregor, Texas facility and possibly in new engine factories near Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

14. Has Elon Musk confirmed Raptor 4 publicly?

Not officially. However, Musk has hinted at a 330-ton engine and “future iterations” of Raptor in various interviews, suggesting Raptor 4 is in early development.

15. Will Raptor 4 be used for crewed missions to Mars?

Yes, that’s the goal. Raptor 4’s performance improvements are essential for the success of long-duration, crewed Mars missions, a cornerstone of SpaceX’s Mars colonization plan.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Announced NEW Raptor 4 Upgrade…Shocked the whole Industry