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/sci/ - Science & Math

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12519183 No.12519183 [Reply] [Original]

whats the smallest rocket that can reach orbit?

>> No.12519213

>>12519183
by what measure?

the shortest by length was Japan's SS-520-4 at 9.54m, but it could only loft a single 4kg cubesat to the lowest orbit. I'm not sure there are any plans to fly it again.

Astra's rocket would be next shortest at 11.6m, and it might be the lightest. Also a bit more practical if it works as designed to carry 100kg to LEO. Lots of room to improve it's rather primitive upper stage as well.

>> No.12519325
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12519325

The Japanese SS-520-5 is the smallest rocket to ever get a payload to orbit.

>> No.12519361

>>12519183
My ballistic semen. Last time reached stratosphere.

>> No.12519375
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12519375

>>12519213
>>12519325
It's so cute~!

>> No.12519667

>>12519183
The theoretical limits are:
payload mass
engine mass and specific impulse (realistically ~400s is the max in atmosphere)
fuel tank dry mass (depends on how sturdy and light the material is)
The Japanese rockets ITT are very close to the theoretical limit. Anything smaller and your payloads are pretty much non-existent.

>> No.12521345

>>12519183
bump