Shuttle-C
Encyclopedia
The Shuttle-C was a NASA
proposal to turn the Space Shuttle
launch stack into a dedicated unmanned cargo launcher. This would use the Space Shuttle external tank
and Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
s (SRBs), combined with a cargo module that would attach to Shuttle hardpoints (the bipod, etc.) and include the Space Shuttle Main Engine
s. Various Shuttle-C concepts were investigated between 1984 and 1995.
The Shuttle-C concept would theoretically cut development costs for a heavy launch vehicle by re-using technology developed for the shuttle program. The proposal involved using, at various times, existing spaceframes, Space Shuttle Main Engines that had reached maintenance lifetime limits, and spare navigation computers. One proposal even involved converting the Columbia
or Enterprise
into a single-use cargo launcher. Before the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger
, NASA had expected about 14 shuttle flights a year. In the aftermath of the Challenger incident, it became clear that this launch rate was not feasible for a variety of reasons. With the Shuttle-C, it was thought that the lower maintenance and safety requirements for the unmanned vehicle would allow a higher flight rate.
There were two development phases planned. The first consisted of deciding the shape and size of the cargo carrier. NASA studies showed that a small but functional carrier would be most efficient for launches.
In the early 1990s, NASA engineers planning a manned mission to Mars
included a Shuttle-C design to launch six non reusable 80 ton segments to create two Mars ships in Earth
orbit. The alternative would be to use four Saturn V
launch vehicle
s. After President George W. Bush
called for the end of the Space Shuttle by 2010, these proposed configurations were put aside.
NASA has recently resurrected the idea of the Shuttle-C concept in the form of the Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle
, currently known as SDLV. As of June 2005 the proposal is reportedly finalizing into the form of a 120 metric tonne payload with an in-line design, now known (July 2006) as Ares V
. If chosen, this will be significantly different from the original Shuttle-C reference layout. Shuttle-C comes in various configurations: one variant has three Orbiter main engines, while the other has two. Only one known mock-up of Shuttle-C exists, created by Boeing
for engineering development tests in 1989.
Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
is another similar proposal based on the Shuttle-C concept which uses existing Space Shuttle
systems with a new cargo vehicle, however the system would not be reusable.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
proposal to turn the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle program
NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
launch stack into a dedicated unmanned cargo launcher. This would use the Space Shuttle external tank
Space Shuttle external tank
A Space Shuttle External Tank is the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off and ascent it supplies the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three Space Shuttle Main Engines in the orbiter...
and Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters were the pair of large solid rockets used by the United States' NASA Space Shuttle during the first two minutes of powered flight. Together they provided about 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. They were located on either side of the rusty or...
s (SRBs), combined with a cargo module that would attach to Shuttle hardpoints (the bipod, etc.) and include the Space Shuttle Main Engine
Space Shuttle main engine
The RS-25, otherwise known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine , is a reusable liquid-fuel rocket engine built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for the Space Shuttle, running on liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Each Space Shuttle was propelled by three SSMEs mated to one powerhead...
s. Various Shuttle-C concepts were investigated between 1984 and 1995.
The Shuttle-C concept would theoretically cut development costs for a heavy launch vehicle by re-using technology developed for the shuttle program. The proposal involved using, at various times, existing spaceframes, Space Shuttle Main Engines that had reached maintenance lifetime limits, and spare navigation computers. One proposal even involved converting the Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spaceworthy Space Shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. First launched on the STS-1 mission, the first of the Space Shuttle program, it completed 27 missions before being destroyed during re-entry on February 1, 2003 near the end of its 28th, STS-107. All seven crew...
or Enterprise
Space Shuttle Enterprise
The Space Shuttle Enterprise was the first Space Shuttle orbiter. It was built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program to perform test flights in the atmosphere. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of spaceflight...
into a single-use cargo launcher. Before the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986, when Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of its seven crew members. The spacecraft disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:38 am EST...
, NASA had expected about 14 shuttle flights a year. In the aftermath of the Challenger incident, it became clear that this launch rate was not feasible for a variety of reasons. With the Shuttle-C, it was thought that the lower maintenance and safety requirements for the unmanned vehicle would allow a higher flight rate.
There were two development phases planned. The first consisted of deciding the shape and size of the cargo carrier. NASA studies showed that a small but functional carrier would be most efficient for launches.
In the early 1990s, NASA engineers planning a manned mission to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
included a Shuttle-C design to launch six non reusable 80 ton segments to create two Mars ships in Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
orbit. The alternative would be to use four Saturn V
Saturn V
The Saturn V was an American human-rated expendable rocket used by NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs from 1967 until 1973. A multistage liquid-fueled launch vehicle, NASA launched 13 Saturn Vs from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida with no loss of crew or payload...
launch vehicle
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
s. After President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
called for the end of the Space Shuttle by 2010, these proposed configurations were put aside.
NASA has recently resurrected the idea of the Shuttle-C concept in the form of the Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle
Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle
Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle, or simply Shuttle-Derived Vehicle , is a term describing one of a wide array of concepts that have been developed for creating space launch vehicles from the components, technology and/or infrastructure of the Space Shuttle program. SDVs have also been part of...
, currently known as SDLV. As of June 2005 the proposal is reportedly finalizing into the form of a 120 metric tonne payload with an in-line design, now known (July 2006) as Ares V
Ares V
The Ares V was the planned cargo launch component of the Constellation program, which was to have replaced the Space Shuttle after its retirement in 2011. Ares V was also planned to carry supplies for a human presence on Mars...
. If chosen, this will be significantly different from the original Shuttle-C reference layout. Shuttle-C comes in various configurations: one variant has three Orbiter main engines, while the other has two. Only one known mock-up of Shuttle-C exists, created by Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
for engineering development tests in 1989.
Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
The Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle, also known as the High Confidence Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle is an alternate launch vehicle proposal for the NASA Constellation program...
is another similar proposal based on the Shuttle-C concept which uses existing Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
systems with a new cargo vehicle, however the system would not be reusable.