go4mars:I'm no engineer, but I just have an instinctive dislike for the five-core idea. It sounds unnecessarily complicated, and greater complexity provides more opportunities for failure. I think it would be better to develop more powerful engines and stick to three cores. A third stage could also be added if necessary.The five core idea reminds me of this monstrosity. It actually did get airborne...once.
go4mars:I'm no engineer, but I just have an instinctive dislike for the five-core idea. It sounds unnecessarily complicated, and greater complexity provides more opportunities for failure. I think it would be better to develop more powerful engines and stick to three cores. A third stage could also be added if necessary.
What am I missing?
W X Yxxx x + then o x xxxxxx x + then o x xxxxxx x + then o x xxxWhen W and Y empty and drop off, X is a lot higher and faster than otherwise possible and with more fuel. What am I missing?
Quote from: go4mars on 08/07/2011 03:39 am W X Yxxx x + then o x xxxxxx x + then o x xxxxxx x + then o x xxxWhen W and Y empty and drop off, X is a lot higher and faster than otherwise possible and with more fuel. What am I missing? Assumeing the load is 50mt plus, and it's weight is being supporting only by the center rocket, how are you going to build a connector strong enough to tranfer list from the outer boosters to the center booster without snapping, be able release quickly, reliably, and not weight tons?Put a cender block on the end of a broom handle and try to pick it up, that's what your outer rocket is going to be trying to do.