Scenario TLI Payload Masses for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy

[joertexas]

How are the TLI payload capacities calculated for launch vehicles? I did find a reference for the Falcon 9 that stated it could throw 1,973kg into a TLI. I haven't found any numbers for the Heavy at all.

I've seen references to C3 in SpaceX's performance tables for the Falcon 9, but I don't know how to calculate it.

Help?

** Update ** Just putting this request back out - I could really use help with this if anyone knows...

JR
'Moon Shot Ringmaster'
@ PERMANENT.com

 

[joertexas]

I found the answer to the question about C3. A C3 value of zero is escape velocity from Earth's gravitational influence. A translunar injection trajectory is therefore less than zero. The Apollo missions had a C3 of -1.8km^2/sec^2. A Mars trajectory would carry a positive C3 value.

Hope this helps someone

JR

 

[RGClark]

How are the TLI payload capacities calculated for launch vehicles? I did find a reference for the Falcon 9 that stated it could throw 1,973kg into a TLI. I haven't found any numbers for the Heavy at all.

I've seen references to C3 in SpaceX's performance tables for the Falcon 9, but I don't know how to calculate it.

Help?

** Update ** Just putting this request back out - I could really use help with this if anyone knows...

JR
'Moon Shot Ringmaster'
@ PERMANENT.com

The Wikipedia page on the Falcon Heavy gives it's TLI throw mass as 16,000 kg:

Falcon Heavy.

Falcon Heavy, previously known as the Falcon 9 Heavy, is a spaceflight launch system that uses rocket engines currently being designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Both stages of the two-stage-to-orbit vehicles use liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) propellants. Multiple variants are planned with payloads of 53,000 kilograms (120,000 lb) to low Earth orbit,[4] 19,000 kilograms (42,000 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit,[5] 16,000 kilograms (35,000 lb) to translunar trajectory, and 14,000 kilograms (31,000 lb) towards[clarification needed] Mars[6],[non-primary source needed] which will place the Falcon Heavy design in the super heavy lift[not verified in body] range of launch systems.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_Heavy"]Falcon Heavy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Bob Clark