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

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. It was studied and considered in 1971–1972.

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.

Some studies proposed the addition of wings (and some form of landing gear) to the S-IC stage, which 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).

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. However, it was ultimately rejected on basis of cost.

See also

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

References

1. ^ "Saturn Shuttle". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
2. Lindroos, Marcus (June 15, 2001). "Phase B' Shuttle contractor studies 1971". Introduction to Future Launch Vehicle Plans – via PMView.

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

v t e Saturn launch vehicle family
Early proposals	Juno V Saturn A-1 A-2 B-1
"C" series	Saturn C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-5N C-8
Saturn I series	Saturn I IB IB-CE IB-A IB-B IB-C IB-D INT-05 INT-11 INT-12 INT-13 INT-14 INT-15 INT-16 INT-27 LCB
Saturn II series	Saturn II INT-17 INT-18 INT-19
Saturn V series	Saturn V MLV V ELV INT-20 INT-21 INT-23 INT-24 INT-25 Saturn-Shuttle Saturn V-3 V-A V-B V-C V-D V-Centaur Jarvis

• Apollo program
• Space Shuttle program
• Cancelled space launch vehicles
• Saturn V