I am given a scenario where I need to create a program to give the initial launch mass of a spacecraft that can vary between 4 and 20 stages.
I am given that the "specific impulse for all stages is 180s".
Since it is specific impulse, this value should be multiplied by the number of stages present. For example, if I had 5 stages, the specific impulse would be 900s. And if I had 10 stages, the specific impulse will be 1800s.
Is my logic correct? I think this makes sense considering each stage will have their own effect (i.e. impulse) on the spacecraft itself, and they will add on to each other as stages are utilized.
The other way I could go about this is treating the specific impulse as always 180s, regardless of how many stages are present. So for 5 stages it will be 180s, and for 10 stages it will be 180s.
Any help is appreciated, thanks.