Unpacking the 'Example Rocket': Why Spaceflight Simulator's Default Three-Stage Rocket Works

For every new player firing up Spaceflight Simulator (SFS) for the first time, the 'Example Rocket' is a beacon. It sits there in the blueprints, a simple, unassuming three-stage vehicle. Yet, this rocket is arguably the most important tool in the game for a beginner. It's not just a pre-built craft; it's a masterclass in rocket science, perfectly tailored to the game's physics. But why does it work so well? And how can you use it to not just reach orbit, but to truly understand the fundamentals of spaceflight?

This guide will deconstruct the 'Example Rocket,' exploring the design choices behind its success, providing a step-by-step flight plan, and revealing how SFS's game mechanics make it the perfect learning vehicle.

A Masterclass in Rocket Design: The Anatomy of Success

The 'Example Rocket' is a classic example of a multi-stage launch vehicle, a design principle that has been the backbone of real-world spaceflight for decades. Each stage is specialized for a specific phase of the flight, maximizing efficiency. Let's break it down.

Stage 1: The Brute Force Lifter

The first stage has one job: get the rocket off the ground and punch through the thickest part of the atmosphere. To do this, it needs immense power, or a high Thrust-to-Weight Ratio (TWR). The 'Example Rocket' uses powerful engines (like the 'Titan' engine) and large fuel tanks. It's designed to burn fast and hard, prioritizing raw thrust over fuel efficiency (Specific Impulse, or Isp). In SFS, you can see this in the build screen; the first stage TWR is well above 1.5, ensuring a swift and stable ascent.

Stage 2: The Workhorse

Once the first stage is spent and jettisoned, the rocket is lighter and higher, where the air is thinner. The second stage takes over. Its engine is a compromise between thrust and efficiency. It doesn't need the raw power of the first stage, but it still needs enough push to continue accelerating and raise the rocket's highest point (apoapsis) out of the atmosphere (above 30km on Earth). This stage is the workhorse, doing the crucial burn that sets up the trajectory for orbit.

Stage 3: The Orbital Ballerina

The final stage is all about efficiency. It's small, light, and equipped with a high-Isp engine designed for the vacuum of space. Its TWR is often less than 1, which is perfectly fine because it's not fighting gravity in the same way; it's already on a coasting trajectory. Its only job is to perform the final "kick" at apoapsis to raise the lowest point of the orbit (periapsis), achieving a stable, circular orbit. This stage contains the payload—the capsule and parachute for a simple crewed mission.

Your First Flight to Orbit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing the design is one thing; flying it is another. Follow these steps to pilot the 'Example Rocket' to a perfect low Earth orbit. This flight profile is the foundation for almost every launch in SFS.

1. Pre-Launch Check: On the launchpad, throttle up to 100% and turn on your SAS (Stability Assist System). Hit "Launch"!
2. Vertical Ascent: Go straight up. Keep an eye on your altitude. Around 1,000 meters, you'll begin the most important maneuver.
3. The Gravity Turn: At 1km, start to gently tilt the rocket to the right (east). The goal is to get your rocket pointing about 45 degrees by the time you reach 10km altitude. The key is to follow the prograde marker (the circle with lines) on your navball. Let gravity do the work of turning your trajectory horizontal.
4. First Staging: Your first stage will run out of fuel somewhere between 15km and 25km. As soon as it does, stage to jettison it and ignite the second stage. Don't wait! Dead weight is the enemy of efficiency.
5. Pushing to Apoapsis: With the second stage firing, switch to the Map View. Keep burning and watch your apoapsis (Ap) climb. Your target for a stable low orbit is an apoapsis of at least 40-50km. Once it reaches that height, cut your engine.
6. Coasting Phase: You are now on a sub-orbital trajectory. The rocket will coast up to its apoapsis. This is a good time to prepare for the next step. You can jettison the second stage if it's empty, or keep it if it has remaining fuel for the next burn.
7. Circularization Burn: This is the magic moment. As your rocket approaches the apoapsis, point it directly prograde (at the green marker on the navball). A few seconds before you reach the peak, fire up your third stage engine. Watch the map view again. As you burn, your periapsis (Pe) will rise on the opposite side of the planet. Keep burning until your periapsis is also above 30km. Cut the engine.

Congratulations! You are in a stable orbit. You have successfully used the 'Example Rocket' as intended and mastered the core skill of Spaceflight Simulator.

The 'SFS' Magic: How Game Mechanics Make It Possible

The 'Example Rocket' feels perfectly balanced because it's designed for the specific physics of the SFS universe, which simplifies reality in key ways to make the game fun and accessible.

• Simplified Atmosphere: Unlike Earth's complex, multi-layered atmosphere, the atmosphere in SFS has a uniform and predictable density falloff. It ends abruptly at 30km. This makes calculating ascent profiles much easier. The 'Example Rocket's' first stage has just enough fuel to get through the thickest part, and the second stage has enough to push the apoapsis well past the 30km boundary.
• Clear Delta-v (Δv) and TWR: The game provides you with the two most critical metrics for rocket design: Δv (the total change in velocity your rocket can achieve) and TWR. The 'Example Rocket' has enough Δv (around 4,000 m/s) to comfortably achieve low orbit (which requires ~3,500 m/s) and a TWR profile that is ideal for each stage of the flight. Mastering this rocket teaches you what "good numbers" look like for an orbital launch vehicle.
• Forgiving Physics: While based on real principles, SFS is more forgiving. Aerodynamic stress is simplified, parts are surprisingly durable, and engine performance is consistent. This allows a simple design like the 'Example Rocket' to work reliably without needing complex fairings, struts, or advanced flight computers.

Beyond Orbit: Optimizing the Example Rocket

Once you've mastered reaching orbit, the 'Example Rocket' becomes a fantastic platform for experimentation. Its robust design allows for simple modifications for more ambitious missions.

• To the Moon: Try adding a bit more fuel to the third stage. The base design has enough Δv to perform a translunar injection for a flyby of the Moon.
• Heavier Payloads: Want to launch a small satellite? Replace the capsule with your payload. You might need to add a bit more fuel to the second stage or use stronger first-stage engines to maintain a good TWR.
• Efficiency Tweaks: Experiment with different engines. Can you make the second stage more efficient by using a vacuum-optimized engine, even if it means a longer burn time? This is how you start learning the art of rocket engineering.

Conclusion: Your First Step into a Larger World

The 'Example Rocket' is more than just a default blueprint; it's a carefully designed tutorial. It teaches the fundamental principles of staging, the importance of TWR and Δv, and the step-by-step process of achieving orbit. By understanding why it works and how to fly it, you gain the foundational knowledge needed to design, build, and fly your own creations to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

So next time you see the 'Example Rocket,' don't just see a simple craft. See it as your personal tutor for the cosmos. Master it, and you'll be ready for anything the solar system can throw at you.