• 0 Posts
  • 6 Comments
Joined 2 years ago
cake
Cake day: July 24th, 2023

help-circle



  • Because the rocket equation is brutal.
    A rocket is almost entirely fuel some structure and a minuscule amount of payload. If you want to save fuel for for relanding you need to take less payload or accept a lower orbit.

    If we look at Falcon 9, the payload to geostationary transfer orbit^* goes from 8,300 kg when expended, to 5,500 kg when landing on a barge or 3,500 kg when landing on the launch site.

    * meaning the payload needs an additional stage to enter geostationary orbit