Definition
Staging is the practice of dividing a launch vehicle into multiple segments, discarding depleted propellant tanks and heavy engines to optimize structural efficiency.
Why It Matters
It is the only physically viable method to reach orbit under the constraints of the rocket equation.
Core Concepts
- The Rocket Equation Penalty: To achieve orbit, a rocket must carry not only its payload but also its propellant and the structure of the rocket itself. Staging reduces the “dead weight” that must be accelerated.