2 ms·
F9 FT can launch ~ 5.3 metric tons to GTO with landing, or ~ 8 metric tons without. I'm not sure if I'd call that a relatively small penalty. It does allow Spac
by greglindahl 10y ago
F9 FT can launch ~ 5.3 metric tons to GTO with landing, or ~ 8 metric tons without. I'm not sure if I'd call that a relatively small penalty. It does allow SpaceX to launch most GTO satellites. I expect Block 5 will do a bit better.
- itp 10y agoI think both views are essentially correct. It is a relatively small fraction of the fuel load, but thanks to the impact of the rocket equation, that relatively small fraction translates (as you are pointing out) to a sizable difference in payload to a given orbit.