People are unaware of the potential of private space flight

It takes 3.8 km/s to go from LEO to Mars trajectory. If the engine has an exhaust velocity of 3.8 km/s, then all but 1/e of the mass has to be propellant, which works out to 36% payload and 64% propellant. So of the 3,600 kg, about 2,300 kg is propellant and 1,300 kg payload. Of course a higher exhaust velocity would improve that greatly, but 3.8 km/s is pretty good performance for any engine using storable propellants and not so bad even for LOX/RP1.

Thanks! Interesting figures. It's not that hopeless as i had thought.

Depending on your fuel, you can get to the Moon using about 75% of your mass in LEO for fuel to accelerate to near escape velocity AND brake into lunar orbit. Somewhat LESS is needed to accelerate into a Mars transfer orbit (8 month transfer time). Aerobraking at Mars requires very little fuel. (It does require a camera, derived from prototypes we have in operation, which will allow you to precisely monitor and adjust your intercept trajectory.)

With 3600 kg to LEO with a Dnepr ($12 Million), you get up to 1200 kg into Mars orbit. (If, that is, you want to orbit. An interesting 3 year “free returnâ€