this post was submitted on 15 Mar 2026
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The tyranny of the rocket equation. Generally, 1% of weight is payload, 85% is fuel.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/observations/escaping-the-tyranny-of-the-rocket-equation/
Good article for pointing out that specific rocket math. The optimistic tone of that article, though, is very much a product of its publication date of February 2020. The space programs have suffered major technical, financial, and political setbacks since then, and the geopolitical moment doesn't really lend itself to megaprojects like moon missions.
The sooner humans can move past rocket tech the better to be honest.
Stop living in a gravity well and we wouldn't have to expend energy to get out of it!!