====== Falcon Heavy Lifter (300dt) ======

The //Falcon Heavy Lifter// is designed as a surface to orbit transport, capable of carrying heavy loads into space from an Earth-like planet. Unlike the [[Condor]] which is an SSTO glider, the //Falcon// relies on brute rocket power to get into orbit and return using a two stage design.

===== Stages =====

==== Falcon Boost ====

{{ :traveller:spacecraft:tl9:falcon-boost.png?nolink&100|}}

This is a 32m tall, 18m diameter 250dT rocket powered with 19 RD-2/a engines, providing a total Delta-V off about 13km/s - more than capable of getting to LEO by itself. However, it is designed to lift the //Falcon Orbit// stage, which is around 65dT, which cuts its delta-v to 7.8km/s. It has a fully-loaded take-off acceleration of 2.2g.

The //Boost// stage is designed to lift the second stage to space, then return to ground for landing and re-use.

==== Falcon Orbit ====

The //Orbit// stage is designed to complete the transfer to orbit, and then with delta-v to spare to reach other nearby destinations. It makes use of a single aerospike engine for thrust both in atmosphere and vacuum, and is designed to be able to land on an Earth-like world. However, fully fuelled it doesn't have enough thrust to take-off, and can only safely land under 1g when almost empty.