- #1
Biosyn
- 115
- 0
Homework Statement
The dry mass fraction, F when multiplied by the propellant mass gives the dry mass of the vehicle (not counting its payload). This dry mass faction F, is a function of system design and lightness of the materials employed for its construction. So if F = 0.1, a ship carrying 90 tonnes of propellant would have a dry mass of 9 tonnes. If the mass ratio of the system had to be 10 to perform a certain ΔV, this would allow the craft to carry 1 tonne of payload. But if F = 0.11, the dry mass of the system would be 9.9 tonnes and the payload would fall by a factor of 10, to 0.1 tonne. If F = 0.12, the dry mass of the vehicle would be 10.8 tonnes, and the mission would be impossible even without any payload.
I need help understanding where 0.1 tonne comes from. I know how they got 1 tonne of payload.
Homework Equations
[itex]\frac{M+P}{P}[/itex]= e[itex]^{ΔV/M}[/itex]
M = Dry mass of vehicle without payload
P = Mass of propellant
The Attempt at a Solution
Let x = payload
(9 + 90)/9 - X = 10
X = 1 tonne
(9.9 + 90)/9.9 - X = 10
X = 0.09090909~ tonne
Last edited: