[hoagy62]

I always get nervous with engine counts of more than 5. The Soviets (as you might recall) never developed the large-capacity engines (like the Saturn V’s F-1) and relied on multiple smaller engines. Their moon rocket (the N-1) might actually have succeeded IF the first stage didn’t have to rely on the perfect sychronization of something like 22 engines.

To me, more engines = more that can go wrong.Today could be mild proof of that.

[Errant]

I'm with you. I know it is expensive to build large engines but too many small engines working at 100 percent, increases the odds of failure.

Another thing, the one area where you could have extra capacity without too much of a weight penalty would be engine size.

No doubt they'll get it figured out in a timely manner. That's the great thing about private enterprize!