// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Staging
Staging is a technique used in rocket design where a rocket is built in multiple sections, or "stages," that are dropped off sequentially after their fuel is used up, making the rocket lighter and more efficient.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Staging is a rocket design principle involving the use of multiple, independently propelled sections (stages) that are sequentially jettisoned after expending their propellant, significantly increasing the rocket's final velocity and payload capacity by reducing inert mass.
BACKGROUND
As of May 27, 2026, the SpaceX Starship has been launched 12 times, with 7 successes and 5 failures. SpaceX has developed Starship with the intention of lowering launch costs using economies of scale. It aims to achieve this by reusing both rocket stages, increasing payload mass to orbit, increasing launch frequency, creating a mass-manufacturing pipeline and adapting it to a wide range of space missions. Starship is the latest project in SpaceX's reusable launch system development program and plan to colonize Mars, and is one of two landing systems selected by NASA for the Artemis program's crewed Lunar missions.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- multi-staging
- multi-stage rocket design
- tiered propulsion
USAGE NOTE
Staging is fundamental to achieving orbital velocity and deep-space missions with current rocket technology.