Making a launcher

[Bj]

Ok, since the other forms down Ill post it here

I know how to find Dv, and how to find how much fuel I need, but heres the next question,

how do I find the least amount of surface area, for the maximized volume of the ship, AND to get the least amount of drag with the rocket,

(we cann't launch a cube, now, can we )

Last, of the material composure in the Saturn V launchers, what is the shell composed of, and how much does that weigh for square footage.

[tl8]

Pick a shape that you like, and then optimize it

[Bj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tl8

 Pick a shape that you like, and then optimize it

It doesn't matter what I like or dont like(well actually it does, but thats beside the point), I still should know the weight and the amount of fuel it can hold, while getting max area,

I think around the lines of something like this

SA = (2(3.14)*R^2) + (3.14)*Diameter*hight)
A = (3.14)R^2

It looks like a calculus problem to me, because it has 3 variables
the question I guess, is how to get this into a f(SA)=A form

[tl8]

Sphere has the most volume for least sa, so It doesn't really matter what shape it is unless you want a basketball

[Bj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tl8

 Sphere has the most volume for least sa, so It doesn't really matter what shape it is unless you want a basketball

except most launchers arenot a sphere, they are a cylindrical shape