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> But raw performance on a single trip doesn't matter much if you can just deliver the same payload in two trips to orbit instead. Except that you're doubling
by semi-extrinsic 7y ago
> But raw performance on a single trip doesn't matter much if you can just deliver the same payload in two trips to orbit instead.
Except that you're doubling the cost if you have to do two trips.
- test6554 7y agoYou just need twice as much methane. So just have PF Chang’s catered and you’re back in orbit in a couple hours.
- cbhl 7y agoIf you throw away the rocket, sure, you're doubling the cost if you have to do trips. If the rocket is reusable, then the vehicle cost gets amortized over the total number of trips, and the per-trip cost gets closer to just the cost of fuel (hopefully at least an order of magnitude less than a new vehicle+fuel on each flight).
- garmaine 7y agoFuel and oxidizer is 2-3 orders of magnitude less than the cost of an expendable rocket.
- simonh 7y agoEntirely valid point, but doubling 1% of the cost of a single use system is still pretty good, comparatively speaking.