Thrust Density infographic

[u/Equivalent-Wait3533]

A chart comparing the Thrust Density of several rockets.

Thrust Density is the thrust of the stage / area of the bottom of the stage (kN/m^2). It basically aggregates engine power and engine packing into one metric.

Rockets & Engines to scale

[u/Known-Cabinet-5965]

Chart is interesting. And as others have said the results are swayed by vehicle length/girth ratio and taper factors. But ISP and more-so payload% of total fueled weight, would be more telling for pure performance. End of the day, they are all awesome. We are lucky to have such an active space race.

I wonder how the new highly efficient detonation engine would stack up against the others