With a few exceptions (CZ-5B), don't most upper stages start off in a suborbital trajectory? I don't think the mission failure was the booster's fault...
You usually use atmosphere optimized engines on the first, reusable booster stage. Firing them to circularize would be insanely wasteful. Also good luck getting the booster to land near the launch site after going into orbit.
2 Comments
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 147d
With a few exceptions (CZ-5B), don't most upper stages start off in a suborbital trajectory? I don't think the mission failure was the booster's fault...
Gladaed@feddit.org · 3 pts · 147d
Yeah, but that's less funny.
You usually use atmosphere optimized engines on the first, reusable booster stage. Firing them to circularize would be insanely wasteful. Also good luck getting the booster to land near the launch site after going into orbit.