4 ms·
Can a Falcon Heavy get the full center core of the rocket, including the first stage into orbit? Maybe with no payload? If so, this would mean transporting and
by robszumski 12y ago
Can a Falcon Heavy get the full center core of the rocket, including the first stage into orbit? Maybe with no payload? If so, this would mean transporting and landing a stage on Mars, for use as a return launcher, would be possible. Is this a possible long term plan?
- tempestn 12y agoI expect the more difficult part is getting the necessary fuel to Mars to escape. Obviously you could do it if you took enough trips, but that would likely be prohibitively expensive.
- baq 12y agothe plan that makes most sense is to produce fuel on site. allegedly there's water below Mars surface, so LOX/LH should be doable. maybe there's more stuff to synthesize methane, RP-1 or other fuels.
- tsotha 12y agoOne plan I've seen for ISRU on the moon is to use a Al-Lox hybrid engine, since Al2O3 is all over the moon's surface. I wonder if there's enough on Mars to do the same thing, or if you could do something with iron oxide.
- david-given 12y agoDefinitely not. A fully fueled F9 first stage is about 500 tonnes, and can lift 13 tonnes to LEO; a Falcon Heavy is three first stages duct-taped together, and all three working together can only lift 53 tonnes.
- grecy 12y ago> a Falcon Heavy is three first stages duct-taped together I bet they didn't buy that cheap duct tape that stops sticking after 5 minutes :)
- david-given 12y agoOdd that you say that --- that's about when the two booster stages are supposed to be dropped...