Its simple rocket math. Every lb of weight must consume fuel.
Si.pky. 1 lb of weight needs 1 lb of fuel to escape orbit. But the fuel has weight also. So the effective fuel you need to lift the rocket and payload is exponential
Its simple rocket math. Every lb of weight must consume fuel.
Si.pky. 1 lb of weight needs 1 lb of fuel to escape orbit. But the fuel has weight also. So the effective fuel you need to lift the rocket and payload is exponential
Town@lemmy.zip 4 days ago
The tyranny of the rocket equation. Generally, 1% of weight is payload, 85% is fuel.
scientificamerican.com/…/escaping-the-tyranny-of-…
GamingChairModel@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Good article for pointing out that specific rocket math. The optimistic tone of that article, though, is very much a product of its publication date of February 2020. The space programs have suffered major technical, financial, and political setbacks since then, and the geopolitical moment doesn’t really lend itself to megaprojects like moon missions.
Lucky_777@lemmy.world 4 days ago
The sooner humans can move past rocket tech the better to be honest.
NewSocialWhoDis@lemmy.zip 4 days ago
Stop living in a gravity well and we wouldn’t have to expend energy to get out of it!!