Email RIS file
Bookmark
Report an Issue

Space shuttle with common fuel tank for liquid rocket booster and main engines (supertanker space shuttle).

Author:
Thorpe, Douglas G.
Published:
May 1, 1991.
Physical Description:
1 electronic document
Online Version

Availability

I Want It
I Want It

Finding items...

Restrictions on Access:
Unclassified, Unlimited, Publicly available.
Free-to-read Unrestricted online access
Summary:
An operation and schedule enhancement is shown that replaces the four-body cluster (Space Shuttle Orbiter (SSO), external tank, and two solid rocket boosters) with a simpler two-body cluster (SSO and liquid rocket booster/external tank). At staging velocity, the booster unit (liquid-fueled booster engines and vehicle support structure) is jettisoned while the remaining SSO and supertank continues on to orbit. The simpler two-bodied cluster reduces the processing and stack time until SSO mate from 57 days (for the solid rocket booster) to 20 days (for the liquid rocket booster). The areas in which liquid booster systems are superior to solid rocket boosters are discussed. Alternative and future generation vehicles are reviewed to reveal greater performance and operations enhancements with more modifications to the current methods of propulsion design philosophy, e.g., combined cycle engines, and concentric propellant tanks.
Other Subject(s):
Collection:
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) Collection.
Note:
Document ID: 19910018943.
Accession ID: 91N28257.
NASA, Washington, Space Transporation Propulsion Technology Symposium. Volume 3: Panel Session Summaries and Presentations; p 1135-1185.
Terms of Use and Reproduction:
No Copyright.
View MARC record | catkey: 15679885