Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
Encyclopedia
The Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle, also known as the High Confidence Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (or even variations of the "Side Mount Launch Vehicle" or "HLV" or "Not-Shuttle C") is an alternate launch vehicle proposal for the NASA
Constellation program. It was first presented on June 17, 2009 by John Shannon, NASA's Shuttle Program manager, to the Augustine Commission
which is tasked to review NASA's human spaceflight program.
It is based on the Shuttle-C
concept which has been the subject of various studies since the 1980s. Derived from currently used Space Shuttle
hardware, i.e. an Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle
(SDLV), it is proposed to replace the winged Orbiter from the Space Shuttle stack with a simple non-winged side-mounted payload carrier. The designs of the Space Shuttle's External Tank (ET) and the four-segment Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) would be reused.
According to NASA's John Shannon the HLV can be developed within 4 years until the first manned flight occurs. The development program should cost about US$ 6.6 billion, which is only about 20% of the costs currently estimated for the Ares I
and Ares V
vehicle development.
Following President Obama 2010 space policy speech at Kennedy Space Center and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010
another HLV program, the Space Launch System
, which is also Shuttle-derived, has been selected to replace the Constellation launch vehicles, with the development commencing immediately and to be completed by 2016.
(ESAS) in 2005 also investigated a Shuttle-C option for Project Constellation, however again only in an unmanned version. All these concepts included the side-mounted carrier to be an autonomous spacecraft which would detach from the External Tank after main engine cut-off similarly to the Space Shuttle. Some of the studies included the reuseability of the Space Shuttle Main Engines on this side-mounted carrier. None of the concepts involved in ascent fairing separation.
The Shuttle-C concept as a cargo only option was not funded in the 1980s and 1990s due to NASA's budgetary constraints. The 2004–2005 industry study provided an updated proposal, which was looked at by ESAS but was ultimately deemed inferior to the Ares I and Ares V option. Crewed side-mounted Shuttle-C concepts were not looked at all in ESAS.
The HLV proposal presented by John Shannon on June 17, 2009 is partly based on the original Shuttle-C
proposal but differs considerably from it, mainly due to not using the side-mounted carrier as a separate spacecraft which detaches from the ET and due to proposing to also carry crews on the HLV, not just cargo. The team involved in analysing and designing the HLV design at NASA include about 60 NASA engineers headed by Rick Manella.
s weighing about 2600000 pounds (1,179,340.2 kg) providing a total thrust of 5900000 pound-forces (26.2 MN) at sea level, with the currently used Space Shuttle External Tank
weighing about 1660000 pounds (752,963.3 kg) in a fueled stage and a propulsion and payload carrier side-mounted to the vehicle.
This side-mounted carrier includes a boattail carrying the propulsion elements which include 3 Space Shuttle Main Engine
s weighing about 57000 pounds (25,854.8 kg) in total and the 7.5 metres (24.6 ft) diameter payload carrier with a separable fairing weighing 51000 pounds (23,133.2 kg). The basic vehicle does not require an upper stage. Orbit circularization for missions to lower Earth orbit or trans-lunar injection burns for missions to the Moon or other destinations outside of Earth orbit are provided by the payload which detaches from the HLV after the main ET fuel is depleted.
The only completely new hardware development required for the HLV is the side-mounted carrier. All other components used on the HLV are currently in use with the Space Shuttle. According to John Shannon's proposal the first several flights (up to 6 flights) of the vehicle will reuse spare parts of the current Space Shuttle fleet and salvage functioning hardware from the orbiters, including existing avionics
modules, the Flight Software and the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) (Block I flights). Virtually no change to the current Space Shuttle infrastructure, from the Vehicle Assembly Building
to the External Tank barge to the launch pads is required.
engine currently being developed for the Ares I
launch vehicle. It provides nearly 300000 pound-forces (1.3 MN) (vacuum) and has a specific impulse (Isp) of 448 sec.
Alternatively The United Launch Alliance has proposed that their Dual Thrust Axis (Lunar) Lander (DTAL) could fit in a side mount payload shroud. The United Launch Alliance proposed ACE 41 and ACE 71 upper stage/fuel depot could also fit inside a side mount payload shroud and the ACE 71 at 75 metric tons (82.7 ST) is well within the side mount shuttle derived vehicles payload capacity. This could eliminate the need for evolving the directly shuttle derived vehicle when combined with a fuel depots architecture.
, except for the 4-segment SRBs no part of the vehicle is recoverable and reusable. The HLV uses a different flight profile than the Space Shuttle because no loads on wings have to be considered. The payload fairing 23000 pounds (10,432.6 kg) is jettisoned after 185 seconds into the flight at about 57 nautical miles (105.6 km) altitude in order to improve payload mass of the vehicle. The used SSMEs are not reused and thus can be simplified, but will have to be produced for each vehicle (unlike the Shuttle). For lunar missions, the HLV proposal envisions suborbital staging at 30 nautical miles (55.6 km) × 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) of the vehicle to increase mass through TLI (trans-lunar injection) with two burns of the upper stage (a suborbital burn and an additional TLI burn).
profile. Two HLVs are launched for the completion of one mission. The first HLV is launched with the lunar lander
and immediately places the lunar lander on a trans-lunar injection path. The lunar lander can have a net mass of 35 metric tons after TLI and by itself inserts into a low lunar orbit (LLO). According to John Shannon's presentation in LLO the lunar lander will weigh about 28 metric tons (after burning fuel to get there).
In a second launch, the crew on the Orion spacecraft is launched on an HLV and also immediately propelled to trans-lunar injection. The 20 metric ton Orion spacecraft will however remain attached to the upper stage which inserts the Orion spacecraft into low lunar orbit where it docks with the lunar lander.
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...
Constellation program. It was first presented on June 17, 2009 by John Shannon, NASA's Shuttle Program manager, to the Augustine Commission
Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee
The Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee was a group reviewing the human spaceflight plans of the United States...
which is tasked to review NASA's human spaceflight program.
It is based on the Shuttle-C
Shuttle-C
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 Boosters , combined with a cargo module that would attach to Shuttle hardpoints and include the Space...
concept which has been the subject of various studies since the 1980s. Derived from currently used 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...
hardware, i.e. an 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...
(SDLV), it is proposed to replace the winged Orbiter from the Space Shuttle stack with a simple non-winged side-mounted payload carrier. The designs of the Space Shuttle's External Tank (ET) and the four-segment Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) would be reused.
According to NASA's John Shannon the HLV can be developed within 4 years until the first manned flight occurs. The development program should cost about US$ 6.6 billion, which is only about 20% of the costs currently estimated for the Ares I
Ares I
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation Program. The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars...
and 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...
vehicle development.
Following President Obama 2010 space policy speech at Kennedy Space Center and the NASA Authorization Act of 2010
NASA Authorization Act of 2010
The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 is a U.S. law which authorizes NASA appropriations for fiscal years 2011–2013 with the same top-line budget values as requested by President of the United States Barack Obama...
another HLV program, the Space Launch System
Space Launch System
The Space Launch System, or SLS, is a Space Shuttle-derived heavy launch vehicle being designed by NASA, following the cancellation of the Constellation Program, to replace the retired Space Shuttle. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 envisions the transformation of the Ares I and Ares V vehicle...
, which is also Shuttle-derived, has been selected to replace the Constellation launch vehicles, with the development commencing immediately and to be completed by 2016.
Origin
An unmanned side-mounted concept of the Space Shuttle named Shuttle-C was the subject of various concepts that were investigated between 1984 and 1995. After the Space Shuttle Columbia accident a two-year industry study was prepared in 2004 and 2005 to further investigate the concept in order to replace the Space Shuttle. The Exploration Systems Architecture StudyExploration Systems Architecture Study
The Exploration Systems Architecture Study is the official title of a large-scale, system level study released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in November 2005 in response to American president George W...
(ESAS) in 2005 also investigated a Shuttle-C option for Project Constellation, however again only in an unmanned version. All these concepts included the side-mounted carrier to be an autonomous spacecraft which would detach from the External Tank after main engine cut-off similarly to the Space Shuttle. Some of the studies included the reuseability of the Space Shuttle Main Engines on this side-mounted carrier. None of the concepts involved in ascent fairing separation.
The Shuttle-C concept as a cargo only option was not funded in the 1980s and 1990s due to NASA's budgetary constraints. The 2004–2005 industry study provided an updated proposal, which was looked at by ESAS but was ultimately deemed inferior to the Ares I and Ares V option. Crewed side-mounted Shuttle-C concepts were not looked at all in ESAS.
The HLV proposal presented by John Shannon on June 17, 2009 is partly based on the original Shuttle-C
Shuttle-C
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 Boosters , combined with a cargo module that would attach to Shuttle hardpoints and include the Space...
proposal but differs considerably from it, mainly due to not using the side-mounted carrier as a separate spacecraft which detaches from the ET and due to proposing to also carry crews on the HLV, not just cargo. The team involved in analysing and designing the HLV design at NASA include about 60 NASA engineers headed by Rick Manella.
HLV specifications
The HLV is proposed to be a 4600000 pounds (2,086,524.9 kg) vehicle at liftoff with two 4-segment Space Shuttle Solid Rocket BoosterSpace 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 weighing about 2600000 pounds (1,179,340.2 kg) providing a total thrust of 5900000 pound-forces (26.2 MN) at sea level, with the currently used 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...
weighing about 1660000 pounds (752,963.3 kg) in a fueled stage and a propulsion and payload carrier side-mounted to the vehicle.
This side-mounted carrier includes a boattail carrying the propulsion elements which include 3 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 weighing about 57000 pounds (25,854.8 kg) in total and the 7.5 metres (24.6 ft) diameter payload carrier with a separable fairing weighing 51000 pounds (23,133.2 kg). The basic vehicle does not require an upper stage. Orbit circularization for missions to lower Earth orbit or trans-lunar injection burns for missions to the Moon or other destinations outside of Earth orbit are provided by the payload which detaches from the HLV after the main ET fuel is depleted.
The only completely new hardware development required for the HLV is the side-mounted carrier. All other components used on the HLV are currently in use with the Space Shuttle. According to John Shannon's proposal the first several flights (up to 6 flights) of the vehicle will reuse spare parts of the current Space Shuttle fleet and salvage functioning hardware from the orbiters, including existing avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
modules, the Flight Software and the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) (Block I flights). Virtually no change to the current Space Shuttle infrastructure, from the Vehicle Assembly Building
Vehicle Assembly Building
The Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was used to assemble and house American manned launch vehicles from 1968-2011. It is the fourth largest building in the world by volume...
to the External Tank barge to the launch pads is required.
Upper stage
Although technically not part of the HLV, the proposal envisions that the upper stage which is attached to the payload and rests in the payload fairing for launch shall be a J-2XJ-2 (rocket engine)
Rocketdyne's J-2 rocket engine was a major component of the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo program to send men to the Moon. Five J-2 engines were used on the S-II second stage, and one J-2 was used on the S-IVB third stage. The S-IVB was also used as the second stage of the smaller Saturn IB...
engine currently being developed for the Ares I
Ares I
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation Program. The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars...
launch vehicle. It provides nearly 300000 pound-forces (1.3 MN) (vacuum) and has a specific impulse (Isp) of 448 sec.
Alternatively The United Launch Alliance has proposed that their Dual Thrust Axis (Lunar) Lander (DTAL) could fit in a side mount payload shroud. The United Launch Alliance proposed ACE 41 and ACE 71 upper stage/fuel depot could also fit inside a side mount payload shroud and the ACE 71 at 75 metric tons (82.7 ST) is well within the side mount shuttle derived vehicles payload capacity. This could eliminate the need for evolving the directly shuttle derived vehicle when combined with a fuel depots architecture.
Performance
The HLV's 4-segment SRBs deliver a specific impulse (Isp) of 267 sec and a thrust of 5900000 pound-forces (26.2 MN) and burn for about 155 seconds. The SSMEs shall be flown at 104.5% and deliver a specific impulse (Isp) of 452 sec and 1500000 pound-forces (6.7 MN) (vacuum) and burn for about 500 seconds (depending on the mission profile). The payload mass for different missions are as follows:- Block I vehicle without an upper stage - 79 metric tons (174,165.2 lb) (gross) and 71 metric tons (156,528.2 lb) (net) to a 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) × 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) reference orbit (28.5°) from Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space CenterThe John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
- Block II cargo vehicle with an upper stage (mass of upper stage not included) - 90 metric tons (198,416 lb) (gross) and 81 metric tons (178,574.4 lb) (net) to a 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) × 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) reference orbit (28.5°) from Kennedy Space Center
- Block II crew vehicle with an upper stage (mass of upper stage not included) - 92 metric tons (202,825.3 lb) (gross) and 83 metric tons (182,983.7 lb) (net) to a 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) × 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) reference orbit (28.5°) from Kennedy Space Center
- Block II lunar missions: 39 metric tons (85,980.3 lb) to TLI (gross) with the lunar lander and 35 metric tons (77,161.8 lb) to TLI (net) from Kennedy Space Center.
Mission profile
In contrast to prior proposals of Shuttle-CShuttle-C
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 Boosters , combined with a cargo module that would attach to Shuttle hardpoints and include the Space...
, except for the 4-segment SRBs no part of the vehicle is recoverable and reusable. The HLV uses a different flight profile than the Space Shuttle because no loads on wings have to be considered. The payload fairing 23000 pounds (10,432.6 kg) is jettisoned after 185 seconds into the flight at about 57 nautical miles (105.6 km) altitude in order to improve payload mass of the vehicle. The used SSMEs are not reused and thus can be simplified, but will have to be produced for each vehicle (unlike the Shuttle). For lunar missions, the HLV proposal envisions suborbital staging at 30 nautical miles (55.6 km) × 120 nautical miles (222.2 km) of the vehicle to increase mass through TLI (trans-lunar injection) with two burns of the upper stage (a suborbital burn and an additional TLI burn).
Lunar mission architecture
While the HLV is designed to provide crew and cargo missions to the ISS, its primary aim is to replace the Ares I – Ares V lunar architecture. The rudimentary mission architecture presented by John Shannon uses a pure Lunar Orbit RendezvousLunar orbit rendezvous
Lunar orbit rendezvous is a key concept for human landing on the Moon and returning to Earth.In a LOR mission a main spacecraft and a smaller lunar module travel together into lunar orbit. The lunar module then independently descends to the lunar surface. After completion of the mission there, a...
profile. Two HLVs are launched for the completion of one mission. The first HLV is launched with the lunar lander
Lunar lander
Lunar lander or Moon lander may refer to:* Apollo Lunar Module, used for the 1969-1972 human spaceflight program of the United States* LK Lander, designed for the human spaceflight program of the Soviet Union...
and immediately places the lunar lander on a trans-lunar injection path. The lunar lander can have a net mass of 35 metric tons after TLI and by itself inserts into a low lunar orbit (LLO). According to John Shannon's presentation in LLO the lunar lander will weigh about 28 metric tons (after burning fuel to get there).
In a second launch, the crew on the Orion spacecraft is launched on an HLV and also immediately propelled to trans-lunar injection. The 20 metric ton Orion spacecraft will however remain attached to the upper stage which inserts the Orion spacecraft into low lunar orbit where it docks with the lunar lander.
Growth options
The NASA presentation shows that the HLV has limited growth options to take more payloads into space. While 5-segment SRBs can be used on the vehicle, they will require significant re-engineering of the vehicle and will only yield 7 metric tons more to lower Earth orbit. Other growth options include an upgrade of the SSME to 106% or 109% thrust level and a switch from the J2-x upper engine to an air-startable SSME.See also
- Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans CommitteeReview of United States Human Space Flight Plans CommitteeThe Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee was a group reviewing the human spaceflight plans of the United States...
- Jupiter (rocket family)Jupiter (rocket family)The Jupiter family of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles is part of the proposed DIRECT Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle architecture. It is intended to be an alternative to the Ares I and Ares V rockets which were under development for the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's ...
External links
- HEFT about Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle
- YouTube: NASA Shuttle-derived Sidemount Heavy Launch Vehicle Concept (First Shown on June 17, 2009)
- Universe Today: Faster, Cheaper (and Better?) Way to the Moon (July 1, 2009)
- San Francisco Chronicle: Backup plan to get NASA to moon cheaper (July 5, 2009)
- United Launch Alliance Lunar lander paper