SOME HINTS FOR PROBLEM SET 2
• The first part of the problem set is calculating the ∆v ’s for each part of the mission.
You should not get difficulties with that. It is just like lecture 4. Just remember that you
have to assume that each ∆v is applied as an impulse, which means for the equation
giving ∆v out of ∆E :
1 2
1 1
∆E = 2vi ∆v cos φ + (∆v ) − GM −
2 { r ri
1
φ = 0 14 42 f
443
0
The second term is zero because the spacecraft has no time to move while the ∆v is
applied.
• Now you have all your ∆v ’s, and you want to calculate the number of stages. The
bigger ∆v , the more stages you will need (Lecture 2).
Let’s work out the example of a three-stage rocket, with, the same exhaust velocity
(4,500 m/s), maximum payload, structural and propellant mass fractions for each stage.
When I say ‘stage i’, that includes (c.f. figure)
o the classic definition of stage i,
o the upper stages, which are the payload of this stage.
Final For each stage:
payload Stage 3
Payload mass fraction of stage i,
mi , pay
Stage 2 mi′, pay = = 0.1
mi ,total
Structural mass fraction
mi struct
mi′, struct = , = 0.1
mi ,total
Stage 1 Propellant mass fraction
mi , prop
mi′, prop = = 0.8
mi ,total
The total mass of stage i, before it starts burning its propellant being:
mi ,total = mi , pay + mi , struct + mi , prop
Note: the payload of stage i is, by construction, the total mass of stage i+1:
mi , pay = mi +1,total (1)
The ∆v brought by stage i to the final payload is, from the rocket equation:
∆vi masss of stage i when all its propellant has burnt
= − ln
c initial mass of stage i
where c is the exhaust velocity of the stage-i engine. The gravity term is zero here
because ∆vi is applied as an impulse.
Plugging in some numbers,
∆vi mi ,total − mi , prop
= − ln = − ln (1 − 0.8) ≅ 1.60
c mi ,total
∆v = 1.60 * 4500 = 7,200 m / s
For a three-stage rocket, the ∆v received by the payload is:
∆v = ∆v1 + ∆v 2 + ∆v3
∆v = 1.60 (3 c ) = 21,600 m / s
The final payload mass fraction of the rocket, is
m payload m3, pay m3, pay m2, pay m1, pay
= = , using (1)
mtotal m1,total m3,total m2,total m1,total
Hence,
m payload
= m3′ , pay m′2, pay m1′, pay = 0.001
mtotal
If you need a kick of 14,400 m/s only, you can use a two-stage rocket, and the
final payload mass fraction will be: 0.1*0.1=0.01
However, if you know you have to give your final payload a kick of, let’s say,
25,000 m/s, then you will have to have 4 stages, the last one being partially used (you do
not have to use its maximum propellant mass fraction). Your final payload mass fraction
will be smaller than 0.001 because you have added a stage.
In the Problem Set, knowing the mass fractions, the exhaust velocities, you know
how much ∆v is given by a stage; you also know the required ∆v ...
