Why we built the Cascade Dropship

Customers kept asking for a Heavy planetary lander that was cheaper to run, simpler to crew and easier to maintain far from home. The Cascade Dropship, which first flew on February 2183, is our answer.

Only 2 helmsman/helmsmen are needed on the flight deck, and the full crew tops out at 6. Automation does the rest, from docking approaches to reactor trim.

The drive runs on Methalox (liquid methane / liquid oxygen) and uses about 18 tonnes per 100 AU. Combined with a range of 12 AU, that means fewer refuelling calls and lower operating costs over the life of the ship.

The commissioning fee starts at ₡185 million. For that you get a 72 m spacecraft that can carry 220 tonnes and sustain 140 km/s at full burn.