Big dumb booster
Encyclopedia
Big Dumb Boosters are a general class of launch vehicle
built around the idea that it is cheaper to mass build and operate a large, strong, heavy rocket of simple design than it is to build a few smaller, lighter, more cleverly-designed ones. Even though the large booster is less efficient for an all around operation, its total cost of operation is cheaper because it is easier to build, operate and maintain. As with all forms of mass production
, it is likely that, as builders gain more experience with production of parts and construction, and more production infrastructure is established, costs may go down further. However, in having a bigger rocket, a smaller number of rockets need to be produced to launch a certain mass of payload into orbit, thereby working against mass production.
In general, Russia
n rockets are closer to the BDB concept than their US
counterparts. US rockets tend to be built of the most modern, lightest materials available and to extremely tight tolerances, using often purpose-built custom parts, resulting in great expense. Many of them require very careful handling to avoid being damaged while on the ground. Russian rockets, on the other hand, tend to be built more heavily, and are easier to handle. They are built with larger margins of strength and to looser tolerances.
The BDB (Big Dumb Booster) plays a significant role in Stephen Baxter
's Manifold
series.
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
built around the idea that it is cheaper to mass build and operate a large, strong, heavy rocket of simple design than it is to build a few smaller, lighter, more cleverly-designed ones. Even though the large booster is less efficient for an all around operation, its total cost of operation is cheaper because it is easier to build, operate and maintain. As with all forms of mass production
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
, it is likely that, as builders gain more experience with production of parts and construction, and more production infrastructure is established, costs may go down further. However, in having a bigger rocket, a smaller number of rockets need to be produced to launch a certain mass of payload into orbit, thereby working against mass production.
In general, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n rockets are closer to the BDB concept than their US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
counterparts. US rockets tend to be built of the most modern, lightest materials available and to extremely tight tolerances, using often purpose-built custom parts, resulting in great expense. Many of them require very careful handling to avoid being damaged while on the ground. Russian rockets, on the other hand, tend to be built more heavily, and are easier to handle. They are built with larger margins of strength and to looser tolerances.
The BDB (Big Dumb Booster) plays a significant role in Stephen Baxter
Stephen Baxter
Stephen Baxter is a prolific British hard science fiction author. He has degrees in mathematics and engineering.- Writing style :...
's Manifold
Manifold Trilogy
The Manifold Trilogy is a series of science fiction books by Stephen Baxter. It consists of three novels and an anthology of short stories relating to the three. The three books in the trilogy are not ordered chronologically; instead, they are thematically linked stories that take place in...
series.