Editing Monocoque (section)

== Rockets ==
[[File:SpaceX falcon in warehouse.jpg|thumb|Falcon 1 rocket first-stage]]
Various [[rocket]]s have used pressure-stabilized monocoque designs, such as [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]]<ref>{{cite web | last = Wade | first = Mark | title = Encyclopedia Astronautica – Atlas | url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/atlas.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814122431/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/atlas.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 14, 2008 | access-date = 14 November 2011 }}</ref> and [[Falcon 1]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Wade | first = Mark | title = Encyclopedia Astronautica – Falcon 1 | url = http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/falcon1.htm | access-date = 14 November 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111111225911/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/falcon1.htm | archive-date = 11 November 2011 }}</ref> The Atlas was very light since a major portion of its structural support was provided by its single-wall steel [[balloon tank|balloon fuel tanks]], which hold their shape while under acceleration by internal pressure.  Balloon tanks are not true monocoques but act in the same way as [[inflatable|inflatable shells]].  A balloon tank skin only handles [[tensile force]]s while [[Compression forces|compression]] is resisted by internal liquid pressure in a way similar to semi-monocoques braced by a solid frame.  This becomes obvious when internal pressure is lost and the structure collapses. Monocoque tanks can also be cheaper to manufacture than more traditional [[Orthogrid|orthogrids]]. [[Blue Origin|Blue Origin's]] upcoming [[New Glenn]] launch vehicle will use monocoque construction on its second stage despite the mass penalty in order to reduce the cost of production. This is especially important when the stage is [[Expendable launch system|expendable]], as with the [[New Glenn]] second stage.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=XSWZstcO7tSrlrvh&v=rsuqSn7ifpU&feature=youtu.be |title=First Look Inside Blue Origin's New Glenn Factory w/ Jeff Bezos! |date=2024-08-15 |last=Everyday Astronaut |access-date=2024-08-15 |via=YouTube}}</ref>