A heavy launch vehicle is disclosed for placing a payload into a spatial earth orbit including an expendable, multi-container, propellant tank having a plurality of winged booster propulsion modules releasably disposed about one end thereof; and a payload supported by adapter structure at the other end. The preferred payload is an entry module adapted to be docked to a space station and used as a return vehicle for the space station crew, as scheduled, or in emergency situations. Alternately, the payload may include communication satellites, supplies, equipment and/or structural elements for the space station. The winged propulsion modules are released from the expendable propellant tank in pairs and return to Earth in a controlled glide, for safe landing at or near the launch site and prepared for reuse. The rocket engines for each propulsion module are dual-fuel, dual-mode engines and use methane-oxygen and hydrogen-oxygen, respectively, from the multi-containers of the propellant tank. When the propulsion modules are released from the expendable propellant tank, the rocket engines are pivotally moved into the module cargo bay for the return glide flight.


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    Title :

    Integrated Launch and Emergency Vehicle System


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1990


    Size :

    17 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







    Integrated System Technology In a Launch Vehicle Integrated Testbed

    Woo, H. H. / Burnett, W. G. / McKinney, J. A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Integrated System Technology in a Launch Vehicle Integrated Testbed

    Woo, H. H. / Burnett, W. G. / McKinney, J. A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994