• Space/Science
  • GeekSpeak
  • Mysteries of
    the Multiverse
  • Science Fiction
  • The Comestible Zone
  • Off-Topic
  • Community
  • Flame
  • CurrentEvents

Recent posts

I'm a California Man BuckGalaxy November 27, 2025 2:35 pm (CurrentEvents)

Collapse of the service access platform at Site 31 in Baikonur? BuckGalaxy November 27, 2025 12:54 pm (Space/Science)

Why the reflections? ER November 27, 2025 8:16 am (GeekSpeak)

So you Millennials think the world has given you a raw deal? ER November 25, 2025 5:27 pm (Off-Topic)

This is not a drill. NOT a drill. General Quarters, General Quarters. All hands man your battle stations. ER November 24, 2025 4:58 pm (CurrentEvents)

Xi called Trump RobVG November 24, 2025 10:26 am (CurrentEvents)

I thought this was fake news when I first saw it online BuckGalaxy November 23, 2025 10:13 pm (Space/Science)

And the worms ate into his brain BuckGalaxy November 23, 2025 7:37 pm (CurrentEvents)

Cracks propagate podrock November 22, 2025 8:54 pm (CurrentEvents)

Debunking simulation theory with more simulation theory RobVG November 20, 2025 3:09 pm (Space/Science)

SR72 RobVG November 20, 2025 1:00 pm (Off-Topic)

Reusable Falcon 9 first stage? September 23, 2011 7:00 pm TB

Some interesting stuff in this FAA permit application.

The Grasshopper RLV consists of a Falcon 9 Stage 1 tank, a Merlin-1D engine, four steel landing legs, and a steel support structure. Carbon overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), which are filled with either nitrogen or helium, are attached to the support structure. The Merlin-1D engine has a maximum thrust of 122,000 pounds. The overall height of the Grasshopper RLV is 106 feet, and the tank height is 85 feet.

The propellants used in the Grasshopper RLV include a highly refined kerosene fuel, called RP-1, and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. The Grasshopper RLV has a maximum operational propellant load of approximately 6,900 gallons; however, the propellant loads for any one test would often be lower than the maximum propellant load. Even when the maximum propellant load is used, the majority of the propellant would remain unburned and would serve as ballast to keep the thrust-to-weight ratio low.

Back in the day, Phil Bono had designs for recoverable Saturn V upper stages that would land vertically on the ground.

    Search

    The Control Panel

    • Log in
    • Register