Start Date

25-4-1989 2:00 PM

Description

United States current and planned space activities identify the need for increased payload capacity and unmanned flight to complement the existing Shuttle.

To meet this challenge the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is defining an unmanned cargo version of the Shuttle that can give the nation early heavy-lift capability. Called Shuttle-C, this unmanned vehicle is a natural, low-cost evolution of the current Space Shuttle that can be flying 100,000 to 170,000 pound payloads by late 1994.

At the core of Shuttle-C design philosophy is the principle of evolvement from the United State's Space Transportation System. This will mimimize costs by taking every advantage of existing designs, hardware production capabilities, operations resources, and logistics support as well as major flight elements including the solid rocket boosters, external propellant tank and orbiter liquid rocket engines.

The Shuttle-C, using state-of-the-art technologies and existing infrastructure, offers several distinct advantages to future space operations. It would complement the manned Shuttle and provide growth to support new space initiatives; serve as a test bed for new and modified systems; and deliver large outfitted space modules and planetary payloads far in excess of the United States current capability - size and weight. Shuttle-C would also provide design options for payloads planned for manifesting on smaller and more constraining vehicles. The robust performance provided by the Shuttle-C would enhance missions through extended observation times, flexibility, expansion of scientific targets, and additional margins in payload design.

Shuttle-C offers a flexible, reliable, and cost efficient heavy-lift cargo vehicle complementing the United States' existing fleet of Shuttles and expendable launch vehicles. Its flexibility, reliability and cost advantage will provide users with capabilities considered essential to effective space operations in the 1990's.

Comments

NSTS – The Next Generation

Session Chairman: Jack Harden, Associate Director, STS Management and Operations, NASA KSC

Session Organizer: Karin Biega, Mission Planning Office, STS Management and Operations, NASA KSC

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Apr 25th, 2:00 PM

Paper Session I-A - Shuttle-C Heavy-Lift Vehicle of the 90's

United States current and planned space activities identify the need for increased payload capacity and unmanned flight to complement the existing Shuttle.

To meet this challenge the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is defining an unmanned cargo version of the Shuttle that can give the nation early heavy-lift capability. Called Shuttle-C, this unmanned vehicle is a natural, low-cost evolution of the current Space Shuttle that can be flying 100,000 to 170,000 pound payloads by late 1994.

At the core of Shuttle-C design philosophy is the principle of evolvement from the United State's Space Transportation System. This will mimimize costs by taking every advantage of existing designs, hardware production capabilities, operations resources, and logistics support as well as major flight elements including the solid rocket boosters, external propellant tank and orbiter liquid rocket engines.

The Shuttle-C, using state-of-the-art technologies and existing infrastructure, offers several distinct advantages to future space operations. It would complement the manned Shuttle and provide growth to support new space initiatives; serve as a test bed for new and modified systems; and deliver large outfitted space modules and planetary payloads far in excess of the United States current capability - size and weight. Shuttle-C would also provide design options for payloads planned for manifesting on smaller and more constraining vehicles. The robust performance provided by the Shuttle-C would enhance missions through extended observation times, flexibility, expansion of scientific targets, and additional margins in payload design.

Shuttle-C offers a flexible, reliable, and cost efficient heavy-lift cargo vehicle complementing the United States' existing fleet of Shuttles and expendable launch vehicles. Its flexibility, reliability and cost advantage will provide users with capabilities considered essential to effective space operations in the 1990's.

 

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