Large payload launch vehicles examined
Abstract
Several Shuttle-derived vehicle (SDV) designs have been envisioned for near-term NASA and DOD heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV) missions into the 21st century. Studies performed at the Marshall Center have included SRB-X, side mount and in-line boostered configurations, each an evolutive concept incorporating STS features to deliver 144,000-195,000 lb payloads into LEO or 10,000 lb into GEO. A three-stage multitank design sporting a cluster of eight 1.757 Mlb thrust engines on the first stage is emerging as a favored HLLV. The second stage would be lofted by four 481,000 lb thrust SSME derivative engines and the third stage would have two of the derivatives. All stages would be drogue-parachuted to water touchdown for reuse. The technology requiring the greatest advances to realize the design is a reusable, long-life liquid oxygen/hydrocarbon fueled booster. The 5-6 yr development span would require associated selections of launch sites and the construction of launch facilities which would not interfere with STS operations.
- Publication:
-
Aerospace Engineering
- Pub Date:
- April 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985AeEn....5...28B
- Keywords:
-
- Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles;
- Multistage Rocket Vehicles;
- Payload Delivery (Sts);
- Shuttle Derived Vehicles;
- Space Shuttle Payloads;
- Technological Forecasting;
- Aerospace Engineering;
- Booster Rocket Engines;
- High Thrust;
- Oxygen-Hydrocarbon Rocket Engines;
- Reusable Spacecraft;
- Rocket Engine Design;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles