This is incredible! Such a great design, with so many fantastic details and ideas. Like the expansion points for Saturn missions or the multi-role skycranes. Well done!
New word of the day: brachistochrone. In physics and mathematics, a brachistochrone curve (from Ancient Greek βράχιστος χρόνος (brákhistos khrónos) 'shortest time'), or curve of fastest descent.
Love the design, really beautiful. I am no engineer but I understand that it is more efficient or easier to design the ship with the engines in front pullin the rest of the mass of the ship as pushing the ship you have compression forces.
Hi CGCAT. What it sounds like you're talking about here is 'tractor configuration' where you have your propulsions scheme in front (usuaully angled out slightly to avoid damaging the payload though not necessarily). This can save on a lot of structural mass as materials are usually stronger in tension as opposed to compression. Couple this with some carefully optimised trusswork and there are lots of cost-saving oppourtunities involved. There are some notable issues with tractor configuration however as while it may be more efficient, its infrequently more practical. The first relates to its inability to control its attitude quickly (and associated lack of thrust vectoring). The second big one is radiation; if its a nuclear propulsion scheme then you'll need moderate shadow-shields for fission schemes (with exceptions that require a lot more) to heavy shielding for fusion schemes. Its usually not practical to cover everything down-range from these engines in shielding.
