2 ms·
> 2. Reset the rocket equation in LEO by doing in-orbit fuel transfer. What do you mean by this? If you want to propel a mass M to delta-v V, you need a certai
by ianhorn 6y ago
> 2. Reset the rocket equation in LEO by doing in-orbit fuel transfer.
What do you mean by this? If you want to propel a mass M to delta-v V, you need a certain amount of initial mass. Dividing it into stages is already taken into account. If you split the lower stages into multiple trips, you might change the mass per trip, but you don't change any of the total early-stage mass required, right? Doesn't the rocket equation still apply in exactly the usual way?
- jecel 6y agoThe total fuel required is the same in both cases, but to do it in a single trip the upper stage would have to be nearly twice as large and the lower stage exactly twice as large. This is already far larger than anything that has been done before, so making it twice the size would be a significant problem.