Accession Number:

ADA280161

Title:

A Shuttle Development-Flight-Test Vehicle Study

Descriptive Note:

Technical memo.

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION HAMPTON VA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER

Personal Author(s):

• Rainey, Robert W.
• Rehder, John J.
• Klich, Phillip J.

Report Date:

1974-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

A study has been completed that identifies the potential performance capability of the production shuttle orbiter for powered flight tests using several propulsion systems following vertical takeoff and using J-2 rocket engines following air launch. Of the approaches considered, the air-launched orbiter equipped with J-2 rocket engines appeared to have the highest potential for early shuttle development flights. With this approach, Mach 4 appeared attainable using 45.5K kg 100K lb of internal propellant. Several issues were identified that require resolution to prove feasibility. Space vehicles, Aerodynamics, Propulsion systems.

Descriptors:

• *FLIGHT TESTING
• *SPACECRAFT
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• PRODUCTION
• RESOLUTION
• PROPELLANTS
• PROPULSION SYSTEMS
• INTERNAL
• TAKEOFF
• ENGINES
• AIR LAUNCHED
• ROCKET ENGINES
• VERTICAL TAKEOFF AIRCRAFT
• AERODYNAMICS

Subject Categories:

• Manned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE