EM Rocket Family

[Earl]

The EM rocket family is my first family of reusable rockets. It starts with the EM-1A.
It has a reusable first stage and a disposable second stage.

The first stage needs about 10% fuel to land starting in space. It uses about 3% for a reentry burn, and the remaining 7% for landing.

 

[Earl]

Next up is the EM-1B. Most of the rocket us unchanged other than the second stage. The second stage now has landing legs and parachutes. I tested a propulsive landing, but the stage flipped. That's why I settled for parachutes.

 

[Earl]

Here is the EM-1C. It is designed to enable first stage reusability, even with a heavy payload. It does this by replacing the large second stage with a lighter, disposable one. This enables the rocket to reuse the first stage with heavier payloads.

 

[Earl]

And here is the fourth (and final) rocket in the EM line. It is designed to be fully disposable.

 

[Earl]

My plans for the EM-2 line:

Propulsive reuse of both stages
Better landing characteristics for first stage
Improved payload capacity
Reusable fairings (?)

 

[Earl]

Here is a bit of a test I did for an improved first stage.

 

[Earl]

And here is a test for a reusable second stage. First and second stage is reusable. Now we just need the fairings and separator mechanism.

I leave the first stage with ~15% fuel and the second with ~20%. They both are very easy to land now!

 

[Earl]

And that brings us to the EM-2A. Featuring reusable first and second stages. Both are pretty easy to land too! I still need a way to reuse the fairings and separators though.

 

[Earl]

After some modifications to the fairings and second stage, I got it to be fully reusable. I removed the separator mechanism. I replaced it with a docking port attached to a fairing. The fairings can now attach to the side of the second stage and land with it.

 

[Blazer Ayanami]

After some modifications to the fairings and second stage, I got it to be fully reusable. I removed the separator mechanism. I replaced it with a docking port attached to a fairing. The fairings can now attach to the side of the second stage and land with it.
View attachment 39966

So, is it true the Fairings actually work as parachutes?

 

[Earl]

So, is it true the Fairings actually work as parachutes?

Yeah, they actually do! There are things in them though, so it may help.
They actually help stabilize the rocket quite a bit.

 

[Earl]

EM-2B, my first fully reusable rocket (other than SSTOs).
Combines the improved for stage and improved second stage.

 

[JSP]

EM-2B, my first fully reusable rocket (other than SSTOs).
Combines the improved for stage and improved second stage.
View attachment 39968

Your craftsmanship with rockets is brilliant I commend you

 

[Zeeray13]

2 things the naming scheme and the 3 engine layout seem very familiar...

 

[TtTOtW]

It starts out similar. But it heads off into an entirely different execution. Perhaps you inspired Earl?

 

[Zeeray13]

It starts out similar. But it heads off into an entirely different execution. Perhaps you inspired Earl?

Don't know probably not

 

[Zeeray13]

And it's similar still. The only differences are the recovery of the 2nd stage, general styling, and the dimensions.

 

[Earl]

2 things the naming scheme and the 3 engine layout seem very familiar...

EM = Earl Milly
3 engines because it started as a falcon 9 and evolved into this.

Your craftsmanship with rockets is brilliant I commend you

Thanks!

 

[Zeeray13]

EM = Earl Milly
3 engines because it started as a falcon 9 and evolved into this.

No I mean 1A, 1B, 2A... Also odd evolution.

 

[Earl]

No I mean 1A, 1B, 2A... Also odd evolution.

Oh, I've been naming my rockets like that for a long time now. And yeah, the first few rockets evolved backwards lol

 

[Blazer Ayanami]

Lol, Earl. I think you pissed off Zeeray...

 

[Earl]

Uh oh...

 

[Zeeray13]

Lol, Earl. I think you pissed off Zeeray...

Ok... you can fuck off. I'm just saying it was similar never said he copied never said it was bad I think it's interesting. So you can screw off. So in fact your the one who pissed me off.

 

[Blazer Ayanami]

Ok... you can fuck off. I'm just saying it was similar never said he copied never said it was bad I think it's interesting. So you can screw off. So in fact your the one who pissed me off.

Lol.

Edit: All the drama you've caused on the HPR Boardroom, on this thread... I have nothing to do with any of both, until now that I make a single comment... A single comment... And you react like that?!?! All your anger is diverted to me?!?! That only makes me laugh even more!

 

[Horus Lupercal]

Ok... you can fuck off. I'm just saying it was similar never said he copied never said it was bad I think it's interesting. So you can screw off. So in fact your the one who pissed me off.

Take a chill pill dude. He wasn't involved in any conversation about the EM / Merlin similarities. So I'm not sure what he's done to set you off.