Drop caps

Possibly...  You're assuming mismatched 
aerodynamics.  I
will note, that in this atmosphere, a 
bowling ball and a
feather, the bowling ball comes down 
faster.  Yes,
mismatched aerodynamics, but in the other 
direction than
yours.	:)

[Tomb] I was thinking more like a lawn 
dart and a streamlined plane. The plane 
has to carry N persons, the dart but one. 
Should it not be possible to arrange better 
aerodynamics for the dart? 

First statement I won't agree with.  Second 
sounds fine... 
But also note less fuel...  Specifically I 
doubt it has
enough fuel to accelerate and de-
accelerate...  There's also
the fact that at some point, you get a very 
ineffieciant way
to ship people down...	Lot of money, mass, 
and volume per
pod for little to no advantage.

[Tomb] Less fuel, but it gets a heck of a lot 
more delta-vee out of the same kgs of fuel. 
Hence I'm not sure it can't do both accel 
and decel. But how about we posit a 
railgun or mag accelerator launch? That'll 
give you a nice boost without requiring 
reaction mass. 

This is a does too does not argument as far 
as I can see. I don't see any reason why a 
dropcap can't carry the same proportionate 
mass of fuel (it has the same heating 
concerns as the shuttle) but it'll still be 
lighter and more capable for two reasons: 
It doesn't have to carry enough fuel to get 
back to orbit (big point) and it doesn't have 
to do complex hovering or other near-
ground operations (lander might not have 
to do this either). The lander has to carry a 
more capable system as its targeting is 
less ballistic and it is expected to be able 
to make a directed flight back to the source 
ship. 

I think the combination of a better potential 
aerodynamic structure (not trying to move 
N men to the ground) and an ability to 
(with the exact same proportion of mass as 
fuel as your lander) burn all the fuel in the 
trip down, the drop cap will have a faster 
time to ground. 

But YMMV. 
---------------------------------------------
Thomas Barclay
Co-Creator of http://www.stargrunt.ca 
Stargrunt II and Dirtside II game site

No Battle Plan Survives Contact With Dice.
-- Mark 'Indy' Kochte