Aero Fact: Why Rockets Stage?
Staging improves mass fraction and delta-v by discarding empty hardware.
By AircoreDynamics •
•
1 min read
Definition: Discarding empty tanks and engines improves mass fraction and increases total delta-v.
Physics insight: The rocket equation is exponential; small mass fraction gains yield large delta-v improvements.
Example: Two-stage designs reach higher payload fractions to LEO than single-stage-to-orbit concepts.
Δv = I_sp g0 ln(m0/mf)
Rules of thumb: Provide margins for separation dynamics, aero/structural interfaces, and thrust continuity.
Common pitfalls: Stage-separation anomalies; crossfeed complexity risks.
References: Sutton; Humble “Space Propulsion Analysis”