WHYSEUM · ROCKET LAB

UP IS EASY.
SIDEWAYS IS HARD.

How does a rocket get to space, and why does it need so much fuel?

Rocket Lab Falcon 9-style

How does a rocket get to space, and why does it need so much fuel? Load it up, pick your fuel, and try to reach orbit, then bring the booster home.

Push ÷ weight

1.46

lifts off

Speed budget

9.9

km/s Δv

Fuel

93%

of the mass

T-00:03On the plinth

Sideways speed · orbit needs 7.8 km/sHorizontal v / circular v = √(GM/r)

0.00 / 7.80 km/s

Fuel left

Stage 1

100%

Stage 2

100%

▨ striped = saved for landing the boosterhatched = booster landing reserve

Flight path · up vs. sidewaysAltitude vs. downrange (km) · dashed = Kepler prediction

Altitude · speed · throttle