In the panel to the right you'll see a spacecraft consisting of a 10 tonne payload (the pointy bit, containing the thing we want to launch) and a 10 tonne propulsion unit, consisting of a chemical rocket. It stands on the surface of the moon.
- Launch. What happens? What do you think "escape velocity" means?
- How can the propulsion unit be modified in order to achieve escape velocity? (Don't change any other settings such as the 'payload mass'.)
- What's the minimum fuel consumption needed to achieve escape velocity (again, only modify the propulsion unit)? Does this correspond to the best design, in your view?
