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[i]There are lots of comments about the Nova-C lander being too tall, contributing to the tip over on landing. Let's consider why it's this shape: Firstly the landing legs are as wide as they can get for the Falcon 9 fairing without requiring a deployment mechanism. Secondly, the core of the vehicle is the propulsion, and two propellant tanks. These are mounted inline because it makes for the lightest design, the propellant tanks are different sizes and masses so putting them side by side makes balancing more complex. A common way to avoid the asymmetric mass problems is to use pairs of tanks, here's the Morpheus lander as an example. But, this in turn means adds a lot of mass between more material needed for the tanks, extra plumbing, valves and structure. Inline tanks save mass. Furthermore this was a spacecraft designed for the poles so the tall sides provide a good place to put solar panels, and antenna. Both benefit from being higher up above local terrain compared to more squat lander designs. The actual tank sizes would be constrained by the vehicle performance requirements, so that sets the overall height of the vehicle.[/i]
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