Location
Radisson Resort at the Port, Convention Center, Martinique Room
Start Date
27-4-1999 2:00 PM
Description
The VentureStar is a large Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) being designed and built by an industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The X-33 is the experimental sub scale predecessor to the VentureStar and is being funded in part by NASA. The VentureStar is envisioned as a fully reusable launch system capable of repeated flights with minimal refurbishment. The RLV will be operated commercially and carry civil, military, and commercial payloads into orbit, including support of the International Space Station.
Lockheed Martin is studying possible launch sites for the VentureStar, and 18 states are known to have submitted site qualification summaries. It is presumed at this time that Lockheed Martin will require leasing, teaming, or other arrangements so to minimize the company’s investment in launch site infrastructure.
In this paper we have made the following assumptions:
1. VentureStar processing methods can be modified from the baseline approach defined by LMA in order to take advantage of available resources.
2. LMA will require two VentureStar launch pads and capabilities to process two vehicles, but the second pad and support facilities will not be built until some time after the first.
3. First launch of the VentureStar will be NET late CY 2004.
4. A runway a minimum of 10,000 ft long and at least 300 ft wide be suitable for landing of the VentureStar. Assuming load bearing capabilities are adequate, the runway material may be either asphalt or concrete.
5. Range/flight safety concerns will be addressed by using modified traditional methods (Reference 36th Space Congress paper "Launch Safety Principles for RLVs").
6. Once the VentureStar has assumed all or a large portion of the Space Shuttle mission set, LC-39A or B will become available for other programs.
7. The last Titan IV will fly from SLC-40 at CCAS in 2002.
Paper Session I-C - VentureStar Operations Options at Cape Canaveral Air Station and the Kennedy Space Center
Radisson Resort at the Port, Convention Center, Martinique Room
The VentureStar is a large Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) being designed and built by an industry team led by Lockheed Martin. The X-33 is the experimental sub scale predecessor to the VentureStar and is being funded in part by NASA. The VentureStar is envisioned as a fully reusable launch system capable of repeated flights with minimal refurbishment. The RLV will be operated commercially and carry civil, military, and commercial payloads into orbit, including support of the International Space Station.
Lockheed Martin is studying possible launch sites for the VentureStar, and 18 states are known to have submitted site qualification summaries. It is presumed at this time that Lockheed Martin will require leasing, teaming, or other arrangements so to minimize the company’s investment in launch site infrastructure.
In this paper we have made the following assumptions:
1. VentureStar processing methods can be modified from the baseline approach defined by LMA in order to take advantage of available resources.
2. LMA will require two VentureStar launch pads and capabilities to process two vehicles, but the second pad and support facilities will not be built until some time after the first.
3. First launch of the VentureStar will be NET late CY 2004.
4. A runway a minimum of 10,000 ft long and at least 300 ft wide be suitable for landing of the VentureStar. Assuming load bearing capabilities are adequate, the runway material may be either asphalt or concrete.
5. Range/flight safety concerns will be addressed by using modified traditional methods (Reference 36th Space Congress paper "Launch Safety Principles for RLVs").
6. Once the VentureStar has assumed all or a large portion of the Space Shuttle mission set, LC-39A or B will become available for other programs.
7. The last Titan IV will fly from SLC-40 at CCAS in 2002.
