tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987241699123718287.post5374614755119510204..comments2023-10-23T12:57:43.485-07:00Comments on Planet Plots: Stepping stone is earth-centric thinkingken_anthonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07612961297952294600noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987241699123718287.post-46173622716569319462014-09-30T00:42:35.869-07:002014-09-30T00:42:35.869-07:00Thanks for your comment Joseph. Let's clarify ...Thanks for your comment Joseph. Let's clarify 'mass is limited.'<br /><br />Delta V is limited by specific impulse and quantity of fuel. If you refuel in space Delta V is never limited.<br /><br />I assume you are referring to fuel mass rather than ship mass. Ship mass should be limited. At this stage there is absolute no reason for a ship to mass more than what today's LV can lift to LEO. With refueling fuel mass is not limited because you don't need massive structures in space just to hold fuel.<br /><br />So stepping stones make no sense now. They do when economics comes to play with greater markets. Which both a colony and ship refueling provides.ken_anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612961297952294600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987241699123718287.post-26887048070523964552014-09-28T21:28:06.029-07:002014-09-28T21:28:06.029-07:00Well... It depends on what you're lacking. If ...Well... It depends on what you're lacking. If delta-V is limited then stepping stones don't make much sense but if mass is limited, they do.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720409839023747889noreply@blogger.com