unscheduled disassembly.”
Several of the modifications are readily apparent, such as the increase in height. The V2 stands at 171 feet (52.1m), which is a 6-foot increase from the V1’s 165 feet (50.3m). This additional height allows for more propellant; approximately 300 extra metric tons. More crucially, the V2 has reduced its empty weight from 100 metric tons to 85 metric tons while increasing its fuel capacity from 1,200 metric tons to 1,500 metric tons.
Rockets’ success hinges on their mass ratio, defining the correlation between propellant mass and dry mass. Shedding 15 tons of structural weight while adding 300 tons of fuel enhances the V2’s margins for orbital burns and landings. The lighter framework implies more fuel availability for re-entry, as well as greater payload capacity, which equates to improved performance in actual missions, not just in testing scenarios. By evaluating the V1’s test missions, engineers identified issues with thermal management and control during re-entry, particularly the vehicle’s aerodynamic stability. Utilizing this information, the V2 addresses those design flaws, rectifying those vulnerabilities.
