Staging Strategies

In comparing Ares V to its spiritual predecessor, Saturn V, the difference between the two main staging methods becomes apparent. Saturn V was a three-stage vehicle, with each staging event occurring in serial. Ares V will be a "2.5 stage" vehicle, with one of the two staging events occurring in parallel. Each approach to staging has its ups and downs. In brief, the staging comparison can be summed up thusly: Serial staging: ++Most effective shedding of unused tankage mass ++More situations fo