Re: Book, Single Stage to Orbit

Adrian Tymes wrote:

> --- Ian Woollard <[email protected]> wrote:
>>The other option of launching 4x proportionately
>>reduces the life of the 
>>vehicle. The vehicle cost is one of the biggest
>>costs of launch, 
>>eclipsed only by R&D; and this scheme quadruples it
>>per unit payload 
>>(ok. rather less, as there are economies of scale.)
> 
> I fail to understand this piece.  Launching 4x as
> often means you launch 4x as much payload per unit
> time,

No, because a similar sized LAP can only carry 1/4 the payload; so you 
only launch as much payload per unit time.

In fact I found an expendable LAP can only carry 1/4 the payload of an 
expendable TSTO of the same size/GLOW/dry mass.) A reusable LAP would be 
even worse.