A space vehicle system consisting of an orbiter vehicle with an expendable propellant tank attached to its underside surface is reported. An engine module is retractably supported from the aft end of the orbiter vehicle and extends beneath it so as to be in axial alignment with the propellant tank when in operation. After the engine has consumed the propellant, it is retracted into the orbiter vehicle and the tank is jettisoned thus reducing orbiter weight and improving flight characteristics.
Space Vehicle System
1974
23 pages
Report
No indication
English
NTRS | 2014
|