3 ms·
Every time I tried running numbers the impression I got was raw performance for the first stage isn't really that important. And the cost vs size is aprox fixed
by Gibbon1 6y ago
Every time I tried running numbers the impression I got was raw performance for the first stage isn't really that important. And the cost vs size is aprox fixedcost + log(size). You can either increase ISP or make the rocket bigger. Increasing the throw of the first stage by 10% might only cost 3% more.
- pfdietz 6y agoIndeed. The first stage drops off almost immediately, so it pays little to try to optimize it. For example, it makes little sense to use LH2 in a first stage; hydrocarbons are much denser and cheaper.