NASA Article - The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation

[Lysergic]

Found this on Reddit. Thought it would be enjoyed here as well.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition30/tryanny.html

[Lysergic]

And now having finished it, I realize I never considered the preantepenultimate paragraph as one possible explanation for the Fermi paradox.

[Themohawkninja]

I like this quote from that article:

And physics dictates that paying a penny less than the full cost will result in Earth repossessing your spacecraft in a not so gentle way.

Also, that "useful mass" comparison between a soda can and the Space Shuttle's external tank really puts things into perspective when you think of the difference in weight between a full soda can and an empty one.

[ArmchairGravy]

"The rocket equation contains three variables. Given any two of these, the third becomes cast in stone. Hope, wishing, or tantrums cannot alter this result."

I disagree. A sufficiently passionate tantrum can alter anything.

[11of10]

And now having finished it, I realize I never considered the preantepenultimate paragraph as one possible explanation for the Fermi paradox.

Not really, the rocket equation is a nightmare, but there is also always a way to make a non rocket launch system... there is plenty of those, at least in idea forms to go around.

[Nuke]

i like how this article sounds like it was written by a redneck.

[Ravenchant]

i like how this article sounds like it was written by a redneck.

I blame the "barn dance" simile

[Nuke]

there was at least one rodeo reference too.