To get things into a stable orbit, you need a sideways velocity of 8km/s
That speed is immense. You'll whip around the earth in 90 minutes. It's why the latest SpaceX Falcon has 9 engines on the booster alone, let alone the second stage.
Bezos' achievement here is cool, but it is many factors simpler than what SpaceX have been trying for since day 1.
(
Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Wed 25 Nov 2015, 7:29,
Share,
Reply)