3 ms·

I remember Scott Manley saying this was only like a 5% efficiency gain for rockets. Any idea if it’s bigger for air breathing jets?

• cf1241290841 3y ago
  Given how much of the total weight of a rocket is required for fuel, 5% is massive.
  • idontwantthis 3y ago
    I mean its a big deal on a statistical level for many launches adding up, but it’s not exactly going to take us somewhere we can’t otherwise go.
    • ben_w 3y ago
      It kinda does, a bit. "5%" by itself is a little vague thanks to the rocket equation relating delta-v and payload fraction with an exponential.
    • shikon7 3y ago
      It does for rockets with many stages, as the lower stages will get an exponential benefit.