Ideal launchpad TWR

[Janos1986]

Since we are talking about TWR on the launchpad, in atmosphere of course.

My 2nd stages usually have 1.4-1.5 while the 3rd stage for circularizing in low kerbin orbit a TWR of 1 is just fine. At least for me.

[Warzouz]

OK, that's depends when you dump your first stage.

I must admit, as I'm designing SSTO rockets, I can't reduce thrust by dumping a stage. Si I've to thottle back thus reducing weight efficiency.

[Janos1986]

I drop my first stage, usually consisting of boosters alone, at about 8-9km from launch, then I switch to the second stage which is usually an LVT45 until I get suborbital.

[mrclucks]

I just worry about my dv.

After designing my payload and transfer vehicle(s) I'll build an accent rocket that can get at least 3500 dv with a twr about 1.5/1.3. If the accent rocket would get too big then I have it built to about 3000 twr and add a circulizing stage with a twr of at least .9. The last thing I do is add boosters to get a twr of at least 2 for the first couple km.

This is all while I'm struting, gimbaling and adding fins and fairings

[SanderB]

If you have a liquid fuel engine, TWR of 2-3 is desireable so you can approach 300 m/s with a ~20° pitch as soon as possible (to decrease gravity losses), and then maintaining 300m/s vertical velocity by continually throttling down while holding prograde. This kind of gravity turn will result in an ever increasing horizontal velocity and an eventual apoapsis at 75km for about as minimal a dV as you can get for almost any vehicle with the TWR and dV capacity.