Rhino vs. Poodle for mkIII SSTO

[MassoudGL]

Title pretty much says it. I'm building a MKIII SSTO for interplanetary travel. I can get the thing into orbit and back but having a lot of trouble getting it out of LKO with a lab and mining equipment.

I've seen some successful designs with a poodle, though the rhino has better Isp. but 1.75t vs 9t.

I''m currently using 8 rapiers, 4 rams 4 cones, and either a poodle or rhino on the back for better Isp in space. Weight is about 120 tons.

[ryan234abc]

It depends. Would the extra weight affect the COM enough for it to flip during flight? If it were me, I'd usually use Poodle's, mainly because they are easier to incorporate into a design without having to change it. It's your call, but keep what I said in mind. Rep if it helps!

[Sharpy]

I was unable to get a Poodle MK3 into orbit - not enough thrust to get enough speed in the ballistic part (though I got a very decent MK2 plane with the Poodle). Rhino worked but the resulting craft was a total monster, 16 whiplashes to give it enough thrust in the atmospheric flight.