Saturn-Shuttle

NASA model of Saturn-Shuttle configuration
Function	Crewed LEO launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Boeing (S-IC) Martin Marietta (External Tank) Rockwell International (Space Shuttle orbiter)
Country of origin	United States
Size
Height	86 m (281 ft)[1]
Diameter	10 m (33 ft)[1]
Mass	2,300,000 kg (5,070,000 lb)[1]
Stages	2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass	60,500 kg (133,400 lb)[1]
Launch history
Status	Canceled
Launch sites	Kennedy LC-39
First stage – S-IC
Height	137.99 ft (42.06 m)[1]
Diameter	33 ft (10 m)[1]
Empty mass	298,104 lb (135,218 kg)[1]
Gross mass	5,040,245 lb (2,286,217 kg)[1]
Powered by	5 Rocketdyne F-1[1]
Maximum thrust	8,700,816 lbf (38,703.16 kN)[1]
Specific impulse	304 seconds (2.98 km/s)[1]
Burn time	161 s[1]
Propellant	RP-1/LOX[1]
Second stage – External Tank
Height	153.8 ft (46.9 m)[1]
Diameter	27.5 ft (8.4 m)[1]
Empty mass	65,980 lb (29,930 kg)[1]
Gross mass	1,655,616 lb (750,975 kg)[1]
Specific impulse	455 seconds (4.46 km/s)[1]
Burn time	480 s[1]
Propellant	LH2 / LOX[1]
Second stage – Orbiter plus External Tank
Powered by	3 SSMEs located on Orbiter[1]
Maximum thrust	5,250 kN (1,180,000 lbf)[1]
Specific impulse	455 seconds (4.46 km/s)[1]
Burn time	480 s[1]
Propellant	LH2 / LOX[1]

The Saturn-Shuttle was a preliminary concept of launching the Space Shuttle orbiter using a modified version of the first stage of the Saturn V rocket.^[1] It was studied and considered in 1971–1972.^[2]

Description

An interstage would be fitted on top of the S-IC stage to support the external tank in the space occupied by the S-II stage in the Saturn V. It was an alternative to the SRBs.^[1]

The addition of wings (and some form of landing gear) on the S-IC stage would allow the booster to fly back to the Kennedy Space Center, where technicians would then refurbish the booster (by replacing only the five F-1 engines and reusing the tanks and other hardware for later flights).^[1]

The Shuttle would handle space station logistics, while the Saturn V would launch components.

This would have allowed the International Space Station, using a Skylab or Mir configuration with both U.S. and Russian docking ports, to have been lifted with just a handful of launches. The Saturn-Shuttle concept also would have eliminated the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters that ultimately precipitated the Space Shuttle Challenger accident in 1986.

See also

• Buran programme
• Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar
• X-37
• Dream Chaser
• List of launch vehicle designs

References

Further reading

• "Phase B' Shuttle contractor studies 1971". Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
• "Phase B' Shuttle cost tradeoffs 1971". Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.

External links

• "Shuttle". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2016.
• Saturn Shuttle with Flyback Booster, video rendering by Hazegrayart