In this configuration, the current Shuttle External Tank serves as core structure for a fully reusable second stage. This stage is equipped with wings, vertical fin, landing gear, and thermal protection. The stage is geometrically identical to (but smaller than) a single stage that has been tested hyper-sonically, super-sonically, and sub-sonically in the NASA Langley Research Center wind tunnels. The three LOX/LH engines that currently serve as main propulsion for the Shuttle Orbiter, serve as main propulsion on the new stage. The new stage is unmanned but is equipped with the avionics needed for automatic maneuvering on orbit and for landing on a runway. Three rails are installed along the top surface of the vehicle for attachment of various payloads. Pay- loads might include third stages with satellites attached, personnel pods, propellants, or other items.
One Idea for a Next Generation Shuttle
63rd Annual Conference of Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc. ; 2004 ; Newport Beach, CA, United States
01.01.2004
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
One Idea for a Next Generation Shuttle
NTIS | 2005
|Shuttle II - The next generation
NTRS | 1986
|Shuttle II - The next generation
AIAA | 1986
|A next generation Space Shuttle concept
AIAA | 1989
|A next generation Space Shuttle concept
NTRS | 1989
|