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Technically, making those things easier also makes SSTOs work since optimized multi stage orbits let us get to the moon where SSTOs are the default option to ge
by vikramkr 6y ago
Technically, making those things easier also makes SSTOs work since optimized multi stage orbits let us get to the moon where SSTOs are the default option to get off of the lunar surface. In a sense SSTOs are part of the current earth to moonbase to Mars strategy.
- rbanffy 6y agoSSTO on the Moon or Mars is a lot easier.
- sitkack 6y agoAnd make a ton of sense since there be zero to none surface support for relaunching.
- rbanffy 6y agoYou'd probably still need to carry propellants, but yes, an Earth-capable SSTO should be able to hop around a lot on the Moon before needing to refuel. Land-anywhere and launch-anywhere are also very attractive features for places with sparse support. I wonder if SpaceX could build a demonstration landing pad, ferry some liquid methane and liquid oxygen to, say, Guam (which is kind of part of the US, making things a bit easier) and do a suborbital hop across the globe with the starship alone without the booster, refuel, and fly back to Florida.
- pfdietz 6y agoOr, a second stage of a two stage earth-to LEO launcher. There's no reason to make the earth-to-orbit part single stage, just because reuse in space of that upper stage would be SSTO.
- vikramkr 6y agoAnd also already accomplished on the moon. The Apollo lunar module was SSTO during takeoff from the lunar surface.