Smallest possible rocket

[T.Neo]

What is the absolute minimum size an orbital grade rocket can be?

 

[Artlav]

One heavy atom, like Pu.
It's fission is the propulsion method, one part will be the reaction mass, other part will be the payload.

 

[T.Neo]

One heavy atom, like Pu.
It's fission is the propulsion method, one part will be the reaction mass, other part will be the payload.

I think I was talking more on the terms or modern technology, as in a Delta II or Proton rocket, but as small as possible.

 

[garyw]

Pegasus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(rocket)

 

[T.Neo]

Pegasus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(rocket)

No, ground launched.

I'm not asking for the smallest orbital rocket made, I'm asking how small an orbital rocket could be.

 

[Dig Gil]

Well there's quite small backyard rocketry, but if you want a space rocket, then it depends on the fuel/engine efficiency.

 

[garyw]

You've also got sounding rockets like Black Brant which can reach 500km but don't go fast enough to reach orbital velocity.

 

[Jarvitä]

I'm guessing Falcon 1, Vega and M-V and Shavit are as small as it gets while still retaining some basic payload capability.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_1

 

[T.Neo]

I'm guessing Falcon 1, Vega and M-V and Shavit are as small as it gets while still retaining some basic payload capability.

As I said before:

I'm not asking for the smallest orbital rocket made, I'm asking how small an orbital rocket could be.

No practicality, no "useful payload", just ultimate smallness.

 

[escapetomsfate]

It would have to have multiple stages. All the SSTO rockets are huge.
I'm really not sure how big though.....

 

[the.punk]

But it depends on what engine do you want to have.
I can't say: "that is the smallest rocket ever could be", because mayby in a 100 years there would be much smaller rockets than in 20 years.

 

[Urwumpe]

The smallest I know is actually the 18 ton heavy scout missile, which lifts about 90 kg into LEO, but much smaller should be possible. You just loose quickly effectivity because the drag at lower altitudes explodes at smaller dimensions. Also, the dry mass of the rocket will be higher than for larger rockets, as you have mechanical constraints - for example the chamber pressure of a SRM.

The Pegasus launcher is a bit heavier, but has much more performance.

 

[T.Neo]

The smallest I know is actually the 18 ton heavy scout missile

Could you provide a link?

 

[Urwumpe]

Could you provide a link?

http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/scout.htm

 

[Scrooge McDuck]

Could you provide a link?

Try this!

 

[T.Neo]

Try this!

:lol:

http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/scout.htm

http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/scout.htm http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/scout.htm

http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/scout.htm

Astronautix is a very good site, I'm just bombarded by mulitple versions and unable to find the relavant one. Plus, I see someone is trying to advertise UFO DNA there :dry:.

Is this the version?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_(rocket_family)#Technical_data

 

[the.punk]

Just a little question.
Is there any orbiter add-on for the scout missile?

 

[Zatnikitelman]

Think Scout's small? Try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguard_(rocket)

 

[T.Neo]

Think Scout's small? Try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanguard_(rocket)

Only 9kg? :blink:

 

[Jarvitä]

Only 9kg? :blink:

You appear to have misread here. The rocket's weight is listed as 10,050 kg, which is 10 050 kg in International notation or 1,005e4 kg in proper scientific notation, which is ten metric tons and fifty kilograms.