XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, sci.space.policy, sci.physics   
   From: gossg@gossg.org   
      
   Jeff Findley  wrote:   
      
   >In article ,   
   >rgregoryclark@gmSPAMBLOCKail.com says...   
   >> The reason why it?s so high for the TSTO is that the first stage has to do a   
   >> boost back maneuver to return to the launch site. But for the SSTO you just   
   >> let the Earth rotate beneath you until you are over the landing site then   
   >> land vertically.   
   >>   
   >   
   >Don't forget Falcon 9 first stages also do a reentry burn to reduce the   
   >velocity before hitting the atmosphere.  On a reusable SSTO version of   
   >the same, you'll either need to reserve a *hell of a lot* of propellant   
   >for that burn or you'll really need to beef up the TPS.   
      
   I was told that since the first stage is almost all fuel by weight, by   
   the time you've been dumped from the payload, you hardly weigh   
   anything.  So the boostback is very cheap in fuel.   
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