Various US Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV) Projects

The story of Frassanito and NASA is interesting. It started when he worked for legendary Raymond Loewy designer who had been hired by NASA to make Skylab a more human place. Early designs had astronauts screaming in horror and so George Mueller went to Loewy - and the young Frassanito.
 
I knew the details about the shuttle model because my first job as a model maker was for JF&A and later Fogg Models. In 1976, a friend and fellow model flyer was offered a job as a model maker, but he was happy being a gunsmith and told me I should go after this opportunity. I took a scratch built planked 4' Schleicher ASW-15 fuselage and a planked sailboat hull and those got me my first job as a model maker. I think Jack appreciated that I could work with curved surfaces and make drawings to describe them.

He was the industrial designer and one of the founders of the Datapoint Corporation, a uniquely non Silicon Valley early computer startup that could have been big but for the way things worked out. Most of my work was models of computer terminals, displays, and keyboards, along with soap dispensers and other product design projects. In the 80s I built 4' Space Station Modules with interiors and a full scale 8' tall 13' diameter Space Station section from Foamcore that was later installed at JSC.

I remember the Shuttle model coming into the office from Fogg and drooling over it. Jack later had me build up a 1/72 scale Shuttle that later was used in one of the Shuttle crew photos.

Jack could sketch beautifully and those sketches sold a lot of concepts. Small problem was that the sketches were far sexier than the real form factors would allow and I had to do a lot fiddling and fudging to get his designs to fit the real form factors they had to cover. He offered to teach me sketching and even put out the possibility of sending me to Art Center, but I was always more interested in airplanes than product design. I later got to work on airplanes with engineers and wouldn't care to work with designers again.
 
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And Datapoint... witness of history... in 1968 -72 they were involved in the birth of Intel 4004 and 8008 microchips... that become legends (Microsoft 8080 286 386 486...)
Intel itself was born out of a scission of Fairchild Semiconductors, who build the Apollo Guidance Computer.

Folks, if you ever wonder how the "For all mankind" timeline got "d-mails" in the early 80's because of a different Apollo... look at Frassanito, Intel and Datapoint early histories This is the moment in history (1968, hell of a year) when NASA met the microchip.
 
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While digging through the web to see what was out there about Jack, I found that the Datapoint CEO Phil Ray and some of the other founders had come from NASA. I would see Phil at autocrosses with his fat tired and flaired Porsche 911R and a very modified Porsche 550 Spyder. Jack had a Ferrari Dino and a De Tomaso Pantera. Jack told me that he ran a body shop before going to Art Center to become an industrial designer.
 
Datapoint history here. Not all of the computer revolution happened in Silicon Valley and a very significant factor in it happened in San Antonio, Texas. They could have been a contender!!!

Wikiwand - Datapoint

Datapoint Corporation, originally known as Computer Terminal Corporation (CTC), was a computer company based in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Founded in July 1968 by Phil Ray and Gus Roche, its first products were, as the company's initial name suggests, computer terminals intended to...
www.wikiwand.com www.wikiwand.com
 
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elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com

Columbia (OV-102): RIGHT ON!

And 40 years since the start of that heralded “New Era”. Things, in the end, didn’t turn out to be so rosy though.
elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com

elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com

Columbia (OV-102): Innocence unleashed.

April 12, again & again. The able hands of John W. Young and Robert L. Crippen took Columbia on its incredibly bold first all-up maiden test flight. A NASA pretty basic drawing of the STS-1 mis…
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From, Faster Than Sound The Story of Supersonic Flight.
 

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From, Ein Jahrhundert Flugzeuge Geschichte und Technik des Fliegens
 

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Hi,

there's a very good article about US Shuttle,contains many new photos and artist
drawings,also Projects on Flieger Revue Extra 91.
 
The Convair Space Shuttle;

airandspace.si.edu

Model, Wind Tunnel, Convair Space Shuttle, 0.006 scale

This wind tunnel model set dates from the early Space Shuttle design effort. In 1968-1970 the Convair Division of General Dynamics evaluated the aerodynamics of both a delta wing and a straight wing spacecraft design with either a vertical or a horizontal tail.
airandspace.si.edu airandspace.si.edu
 

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Richard N said:
I knew the details about the shuttle model because my first job as a model maker was for JF&A and later Fogg Models.
Click to expand...
Some of the best space art out there:

JF&A

John Frassanito & Associates
www.frassanito.com www.frassanito.com

Maybe Elon could build that Convair version if nothing else works
airandspace.si.edu

Model, Wind Tunnel, Convair Space Shuttle, 0.006 scale

This wind tunnel model set dates from the early Space Shuttle design effort. In 1968-1970 the Convair Division of General Dynamics evaluated the aerodynamics of both a delta wing and a straight wing spacecraft design with either a vertical or a horizontal tail.
airandspace.si.edu airandspace.si.edu
 
publiusr said:

Maybe Elon could build that Convair version if nothing else works
airandspace.si.edu

Model, Wind Tunnel, Convair Space Shuttle, 0.006 scale

This wind tunnel model set dates from the early Space Shuttle design effort. In 1968-1970 the Convair Division of General Dynamics evaluated the aerodynamics of both a delta wing and a straight wing spacecraft design with either a vertical or a horizontal tail.
airandspace.si.edu airandspace.si.edu
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He isn't going to ever
 
Triton said:
Model, Space Shuttle, Lockheed Starclipper LS200-8 Stage-and-a-Half Concept,1:96 from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collections Database web site:

NASA studied this Lockheed Martin concept for a partially reusable space transportation system during the Shuttle research effort in 1969-1971. It featured a delta-wing orbiter vehicle flanked by two large external fuel tanks. It was called a stage-and-a-half vehicle because the orbiter would launch itself without a booster and fly all the way to orbit using its own rocket engines fed by the external fuel tanks (the half-stage), which would be jettisoned when empty. The reusable orbiter had retractable wings and air-breathing jet engines that deployed after reentry, enabling it to fly like an airplane to landing. NASA transferred a variety of concept models to the Museum after settling on the final Space Shuttle design.
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More pics of same:
(https://airandspace.si.edu/collecti...stage-and-a-half-concept196/nasm_A19740728000)

NASM-A19740728000_PS01.jpg NASM-A19740728000_PS02.jpg NASM-A19740728000_PS03.jpg
 
The triangular raft-like design makes me wonder if a combo Rogallo wing-inflatable heat shield would allow for tank recovery. This could be Dream Chaser 2.O now that Orbital Reef allows access to deeper pockets. A good exercise for those with art skills might be to draw shuttle external tanks of different sizes based on propellant. Hypergolics-zip tanks being the smallest.
 
Ah yes, the Smithsonian / NASM Shuttle models display. Some wonderful stuff there.
There were so many Shuttle configurations examined between 1968 and 1974 (when they dropped the jets from the familiar Shuttle Orbiter) there must have been hundreds of models out there, at NASA HQ, ten centers, the military, contractors, and countless other places.
 
publiusr said:
The triangular raft-like design makes me wonder if a combo Rogallo wing-inflatable heat shield would allow for tank recovery. This could be Dream Chaser 2.O now that Orbital Reef allows access to deeper pockets. A good exercise for those with art skills might be to draw shuttle external tanks of different sizes based on propellant. Hypergolics-zip tanks being the smallest.
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Capability for the production of large quantities of hydrazine has ended in the US, since Titan and Shuttle are no longer flying.
 
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A shame, that. Storables need not be hypergolic...perhaps kero and HTP as Beal wanted. Still, a chart showing different size ETs to let one know how STS stacks with different propellant choices could have looked would be nice.
 
publiusr said:
A shame, that. Storables need not be hypergolic...perhaps kero and HTP as Beal wanted. Still, a chart showing different size ETs to let one know how STS stacks with different propellant choices could have looked would be nice.
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There was the idea for a Titan based "booster" for the ET which would provide a good idea, (no not really a "good" idea mind you :) ) of the size as well as the Air Force IRLV studies which assumed hypergolic propellants. (Aka really small, really dense,really heavy and really dangerous :) )
 
What is truly fascinating when reading Dennis Jenkins magnum opus on the Shuttle: how the familiar Shuttle Orbiter emerged (circa August 1971) from the MSC-036 to MSC-040A iterations.
With MSC-042 standing apart : with no engines and a huge booster - a Titan III-L in the role of Energiya.
"look ma ! An American Buran - before Buran !"
 
Archibald said:
What is truly fascinating when reading Dennis Jenkins magnum opus on the Shuttle: how the familiar Shuttle Orbiter emerged (circa August 1971) from the MSC-036 to MSC-040A iterations.
With MSC-042 standing apart : with no engines and a huge booster - a Titan III-L in the role of Energiya.
"look ma ! An American Buran - before Buran !"
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"The Earth is covered by two-thirds water and one-third space launch studies." Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Sheila A. Widnall, December 1992.
 
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martinbayer said:
Archibald said:
What is truly fascinating when reading Dennis Jenkins magnum opus on the Shuttle: how the familiar Shuttle Orbiter emerged (circa August 1971) from the MSC-036 to MSC-040A iterations.
With MSC-042 standing apart : with no engines and a huge booster - a Titan III-L in the role of Energiya.
"look ma ! An American Buran - before Buran !"
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No using that as a wet workshop! Before being a lifting body, Dream Chaser looked X-34 on a hybid Energia stack.
 
North American Rockwell R-134B (I think?) model:

LARGE SPACE PLANE WIND TUNNEL MODEL.
Model of a delta-wing orbiter with twin wing-tip vertical tails, manufactured by North American Rockwell, c.1971. Wood and paint, 33 inches from nose to tail, wingspan 20 inches. Flag, "United States," and NASA decals. Displayed vertically on custom stand.

A product of the research that was taking place in the 1970s with the goal of producing a reusable shuttle. The present model was designed for wind tunnel tests, and is unusually large and striking.

8711663-1-3.jpg

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www.bonhams.com

Bonhams : LARGE SPACE PLANE WIND TUNNEL MODEL. Model of a delta-wing orbiter with twin wing-tip vertical tails, manufactured by North American Rockwell, c.1971. Wood and paint, 33 inches from nose to tail,

Model of a delta-wing orbiter with twin wing-tip vertical tails, manufactured by North American Rockwell, c.1971. Wood and paint, 33 inches from nose to tail, wingspan 20 inches. Flag, "United States," and NASA decals. Displayed vertically on custom stand. A product of the research that was...
www.bonhams.com www.bonhams.com

Sold for US$ 22,500 inc. premium (really!!?!)

The Space History Sale including Aviation

25 Mar 2013, 13:00 EDT

New York
 
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Dew said:
North American Rockwell R-134B (I think?) model:

LARGE SPACE PLANE WIND TUNNEL MODEL.
Model of a delta-wing orbiter with twin wing-tip vertical tails, manufactured by North American Rockwell, c.1971. Wood and paint, 33 inches from nose to tail

Sold for US$ 22,500 inc. premium (really!!?!)

The Space History Sale including Aviation

25 Mar 2013, 13:00 EDT

New York
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I really hate being poor
 
I will be getting this scanned (I have access to a proper scanner, but the phone camera was faster for this) and uploaded soon, as I've yet to find a copy of JSC Internal Note 74-FM-80 (sometimes noted as 74-FM-080) Space Shuttle Derived Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle (1974-11-20) online. Special thanks to John McNeely who not only co-wrote the note, but was kind enough to send me his copy!

Yes, it's like a BIG SRB-X, but a decade earlier. Payload for the five-booster version is ~125k lbm to a 500 nautical mile circular orbit at 28.5° orbit, or 100klbm to a 500 nautical mile circular orbit at 90°. The four-booster version has payload capabilities about 20% lower.

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20211204_110953.jpg
 
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And here we go. Thanks to John T. McNeely for not only allowing me to interview him, but also for sending me his personal copy of the internal note.
Because the forum does not like the nearly 11 meg file, I'm linking to where I've posted it on NSF. I hope this isn't out of line.
JSC Internal Note 74-FM-80
Space Shuttle Derived, Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle
November 20th, 1974
 

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Now THAT is a platypus. On a side note...was there a spaceplane contender that came closest to getting the "Future Notional Horizontal Launch Area" actually built up? With new fusion magnets-sled-launch concepts might be due for another look-especially methane concepts since nearby L-49 looks to be built for Starship. Were I a billionaire-I would love to be crew shuttle to a cargo only Starship. There is a potential two-prong approach here. Any papers on sled-launch methalox designs that could share -49's coming infrastructure? And-has anyone thought to repurpose upward slanted runways like Courchevel Altiport for sled-launch? With better choppers altiports can find new uses.
 
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publiusr said:
Now THAT is a platypus. On a side note...was there a spaceplane contender that came closest to getting the "Future Notional Horizontal Launch Area" actually built up? With new fusion magnets-sled-launch concepts might be due for another look-especially methane concepts since nearby L-49 looks to be built for Starship. Were I a billionaire-I would love to be crew shuttle to a cargo only Starship. There is a potential two-prong approach here. Any papers on sled-launch methalox designs that could share -49's coming infrastructure? And-has anyone thought to repurpose upward slanted runways like Courchevel Altiport for sled-launch? With better choppers altiports can find new uses.
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Sled launches are non starters and nobody is working them

Horizontal Launch Area was another airstrip.
 
Byeman said:
publiusr said:
Now THAT is a platypus. On a side note...was there a spaceplane contender that came closest to getting the "Future Notional Horizontal Launch Area" actually built up? With new fusion magnets-sled-launch concepts might be due for another look-especially methane concepts since nearby L-49 looks to be built for Starship. Were I a billionaire-I would love to be crew shuttle to a cargo only Starship. There is a potential two-prong approach here. Any papers on sled-launch methalox designs that could share -49's coming infrastructure? And-has anyone thought to repurpose upward slanted runways like Courchevel Altiport for sled-launch? With better choppers altiports can find new uses.
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Sled launches are non starters and nobody is working them

Horizontal Launch Area was another airstrip.
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Incorrect, heavy snow the last few days and MANY people are here are working on sled launch.. often whether they want to or not. (Black ice is a thing after all :) )

Happy Holidays folks!

Randy
 
Tangential, would 'StarClipper' external tanks have solved the X-33 issues with those internal tanks being a 'composite too far' at time ? With part of tankage outside, internal shapes could be much simpler and lighter, incidentally helping with c/g issues. Likewise, the 'traditional' external tankage design would not be an engineering challenge, while providing ample space in nose for recovery chute...

Or did the big Aerospike's significant thrust/weight shortfall doom the project ?

IIRC, Aerospike failed to scale well, proved disconcertingly under-powered, while requiring much heavier materials than anticipated.

By analogy with several WW2 aircraft designs that failed because their intended engines failed to 'come good', and replacement would require too many major design changes...

FWIW, is any-one doing anything with aerospike design ? Have advances in CFD modelling confirmed it was a dead-end ??
 
I seem to remember an annular aerospike test a Parabolic Arc not long ago-I wonder if you could couple that with RENE and Gnom type air-breathing solids in an annular-torus type mold...something that could slide out from around a central stage...
 
Nik said:
Tangential, would 'StarClipper' external tanks have solved the X-33 issues with those internal tanks being a 'composite too far' at time ? With part of tankage outside, internal shapes could be much simpler and lighter, incidentally helping with c/g issues. Likewise, the 'traditional' external tankage design would not be an engineering challenge, while providing ample space in nose for recovery chute...
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no, it would created a worse problem than it would solve.. All that tank acreage directly shedding onto the StarClipper TPS.

Anyways, using Lithium Aluminum tanks in the same shape would have fixed the leakage issue on X-33 with less mass.
 

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