cm0002@lemmy.world to Space@lemmy.world · 14 hours agoGiant catapult sends satellites into space without rocket fuelwww.thebrighterside.newsexternal-linkmessage-square58fedilinkarrow-up1126arrow-down143cross-posted to: [email protected]
arrow-up183arrow-down1external-linkGiant catapult sends satellites into space without rocket fuelwww.thebrighterside.newscm0002@lemmy.world to Space@lemmy.world · 14 hours agomessage-square58fedilinkcross-posted to: [email protected]
minus-squareJohnDClay@sh.itjust.workslinkfedilinkarrow-up12·13 hours agoYeah, this is just a first stage replacement. You still need a rocket to get most of the way into orbit.
minus-squareNobodyElse@sh.itjust.workslinkfedilinkarrow-up5·5 hours agoThe first stage counts for the bulk of the fuel and total mass, so this would still be a big deal.
minus-squareJohnDClay@sh.itjust.workslinkfedilinkarrow-up6·4 hours agoYeah definitely. The way the rocket equation works out, the second stage gives most of the Delta V, but the first stage needs to be much bigger because it needs to lift itself and the second stage.
Yeah, this is just a first stage replacement. You still need a rocket to get most of the way into orbit.
The first stage counts for the bulk of the fuel and total mass, so this would still be a big deal.
Yeah definitely. The way the rocket equation works out, the second stage gives most of the Delta V, but the first stage needs to be much bigger because it needs to lift itself and the second stage.