RESIDUAL-LOAD-PLUS-POWERPLANT WEIGHTS FOR ORBITAL-LAUNCH NUCLEAR ROCKETS

Abstract

CHARTS ARE PRESENTED OF RESIDUAL-LOAD-PLUS-POWERPLANT WEIGHT AS A FUNCTION OF THRUST, SPECIFIC IMPULSE, INITIAL WEIGHT IN ORBIT, AND MISSION ENERGY FOR ORBITAL-LAUNCH NUCLEAR ROCKETS. The initial weights range from 7600 to 226,000 pounds (corresponding to Atlas-Centaur, Saturn, and Nova boost vehicles), and missions are selected to cover the approximate capability inherent in the specified weights. Thrust is varied so that ratio of thrust to initial weight lies between 0.01 and 1.0, while specific impulse is varied from 450 to 1000 pounds per pound per second. Values of residual-load-plus-powerplant weight are computed by estimating the required weights of hydrogen propellant, tank, and vehicle structure. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0257062

Entities

People

  • James W. Miser
  • Paul G. Johnson
  • Roger L. Smith

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Elements
  • Energetic Materials
  • Hydrogen
  • Propellants
  • Residuals
  • Specific Impulse
  • Thrust

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites