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This is partly because they don't always take off with full tanks which allows for shorter runways and/or safer takeoff. Depending on the ordinance that a jet m
by strmpnk 10y ago
This is partly because they don't always take off with full tanks which allows for shorter runways and/or safer takeoff. Depending on the ordinance that a jet may have to carry, it starts making more sense to stay a bit lighter until a minimum airspeed is achieved.
The idea of docking modular components in space is a good one though. Perhaps all you really need to do is lift a bunch of fuel tanks since there is plenty of time to perform burns with smaller boosters on longer distance trips.
- cptskippy 10y agoThe SR71 literally leaked fuel until it reached operating temperature. It had something crazy like 2 minutes to rendevous with a tanker after takeoff.
- skookumchuck 10y agoUsing "milch cows" seems like a cost effective solution to fueling/supplying a moon run. Of course, the green-eyeshade crews will get to have the last say.
- gozur88 10y agoIt's not as advantageous as you'd expect, because your ships now have to have docking collars extra sensors, and extra maneuvering capability. The rendezvous will take extra time and fuel, and the extra time means you need more life support for the crew. Worse, the extra steps involved create extra risk, both for mission failure and to the lives of the crew. You could get to your fuel depot and discover the battery sytem has failed and your depot is tumbling, or a leak caused ice buildup that prevents you from docking. Or the chillers failed and enough oxydizer got vented into space that you can't continue the mission.