3 ms·

I always wonder how much fuel this rocket needs for landing and if this reduces the maximum payload compared to the disposable Falcon 9. Find they ever release

I always wonder how much fuel this rocket needs for landing and if this reduces the maximum payload compared to the disposable Falcon 9. Find they ever release that information?

avian 12y ago
> In order to make the Falcon 9 reusable and return to the launch site, extra propellant and landing gear must be carried on the first stage, requiring around a 30 percent reduction of the maximum payload to orbit in comparison with the expendable Falcon 9. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program#Economic_issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_...
- madaxe_again 12y ago
  But the point is that by making the stage re-usable, you significantly cut your cost/kg, meaning that even with a decreased capacity it's more cost effective, as you could do several launches rather than just one to lift whatever. Of course, also bear in mind that this isn't technology just for the Falcon 9 - this is the test-bed. Once we have the systems in place for a reusable first stage, this can be applied to the heavy (which of course uses falcon 9's), and other future generations of craft. Until we've got SSTO spaceplanes or space elevators, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
jccooper 12y ago
They have said it takes about 3% of the stage's propellant load. They further say recovery systems (mostly legs and fins) and propellant reduces orbital payload by about 30%, but that their advertised capacity is already 30% under maximum performance to allow them the margin to experiment with recovery systems. The numbers are all kind of old and fuzzy, but should give you the idea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_d...

3 ms·

I always wonder how much fuel this rocket needs for landing and if this reduces the maximum payload compared to the disposable Falcon 9. Find they ever release

by italophil 12y ago

I always wonder how much fuel this rocket needs for landing and if this reduces the maximum payload compared to the disposable Falcon 9. Find they ever release that information?

avian 12y ago
> In order to make the Falcon 9 reusable and return to the launch site, extra propellant and landing gear must be carried on the first stage, requiring around a 30 percent reduction of the maximum payload to orbit in comparison with the expendable Falcon 9. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program#Economic_issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_...
- madaxe_again 12y ago
  But the point is that by making the stage re-usable, you significantly cut your cost/kg, meaning that even with a decreased capacity it's more cost effective, as you could do several launches rather than just one to lift whatever. Of course, also bear in mind that this isn't technology just for the Falcon 9 - this is the test-bed. Once we have the systems in place for a reusable first stage, this can be applied to the heavy (which of course uses falcon 9's), and other future generations of craft. Until we've got SSTO spaceplanes or space elevators, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
jccooper 12y ago
They have said it takes about 3% of the stage's propellant load. They further say recovery systems (mostly legs and fins) and propellant reduces orbital payload by about 30%, but that their advertised capacity is already 30% under maximum performance to allow them the margin to experiment with recovery systems. The numbers are all kind of old and fuzzy, but should give you the idea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_d...