SSTO Spaceplane Launch Profile

[GoSlash27]

On 4/24/2017 at 0:46 PM, Spricigo said:

Someone else (e.g @Wanderfound, @GoSlash27, @AeroGav) can give you a better idea of what is a good mass fraction (or whatever metric they think you should look at)

In my experience, 20-40% is about right. It depends on what planform you're using and what engines. I hit 42% with a jumbo Mk. 3 tanker powered by RAPIERs a while back. I wouldn't expect much more than that, although IIRC @Starhawk has exceeded that by a bit.

Me personally, I don't worry about the mass fraction so much. I worry about reliability/ ease of use first and cost per tonne to orbit second.

Best,
-Slashy

 

Edited April 25, 2017 by GoSlash27