I'm sure this will be a lightning rod of a post, but can someone explain why the approach of the SpaceX team with falcon makes sense? The argument I understand is that significant costs can be saved if we don't modify the aeronautics of a reusable vehicle- IOW, vertical take off is best suited by vertical landing.
Where I'm stuck is the fact that the vehicle needs to carry/reserve fuel for the landing. How is that more economical than supplying enough of the good stuff to get the job done, and then having to save some we can return vertical?
Where I'm stuck is the fact that the vehicle needs to carry/reserve fuel for the landing. How is that more economical than supplying enough of the good stuff to get the job done, and then having to save some we can return vertical?