Jim, et al:
Help me out here: SpaceX’s vehicle is a two stage system. If they have
optimally splint delta-v then the upper stage is good for about Mach 15,
flying on it’s own. That is not enough energy to get to the lunar surface
and return.
It looks to me like the upper stage is probably capable of a circum-lunar
mission if fully refueled but is going to require a second refueling to get
to the surface and return. Is that not correct?
Bill
On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 7:38 AM James Fackert <jimfackert@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Henry is the king of analysis on a table napkin!
So about 10 tanker flights to refuel a Starship to head for the moon.
Still no need for a permanent fuel depot.
First tanker parks in refueling position optimal for the mission, 9 (?)
more tanker flights meet it, dump their payloads and go back for more.
Mission Starship meets it, tanks up and heads out, and the prime tanker
heads home for the next mission.
As has been pointed out, there is no optimal position for a depot and no
need to develop a specialized depot until the traffic on the lunar rail
line warrants it.
jim fackert
