Thande
Donor
The aim was to see if NERVA could be used to try a Mars trip in the late 80's...
Technically speaking, I think that it probably could; the problem is with public nucleophobia.
The aim was to see if NERVA could be used to try a Mars trip in the late 80's...
Technically speaking, I think that it probably could; the problem is with public nucleophobia.
Would unmanned/NERVA probes help cure this ?
something like "Look, we launched and send nuclear probes for 5, 10 or 20 years now, and nothing nasty happened... "
Very nice.
Just out of interest, would the Soviets be able to use TKS to try a Moonshot if it were possible with Big G? IIRC, their major problems in OTL were with the N-1 launcher rather than with the hardware that they would use once they got there.
no joke there were Plans for lunar ALMAS TKS by Chelomei.
this part of KLE Complex Lunar Expedition http://www.astronautix.com/craft/kleition.htm
Lunar versions of the Almaz OPS would be placed in lunar orbit to
conduct detailed reconnaissance of the surface using manned assistance.
supply by Lunar TKS launch with UR-700
LK-700 Lunar landing program http://www.astronautix.com/craft/lk700.htm
Forget to mention the mission profile, which is rather different from Apollo CSM.
Saturn V is quite dead (remember the discussion we had at the secret project board ?)
So, like Orion, there's a rendez-vous in LEO between
- Big G and - S-IVB / LM.
jep is cheaper to launch as Saturn VBoth are launched by the same vehicle, the Saturn INT-20.
i called that a nasty monsterAs its payload is only 50 tons, when launching the 135 tons S-IVB+LM combo it is boosted by two 4-segments /1800 tons thrust /156 inch SRBs (developped by USAF for the SLS, which replace Titan III in my ATL.)
why so much mass ? even the 15 tons version (with more fuel) can do lunar MissionAs my Big G is launched by Saturn INT-20, it's not the 15 tons /Titan III variant , rather the much bigger one at 47 tons...
Honestly, the thing which most worry me about LBG (Lunar Big G!) is the hatch in the heatshield.
I fear a Columbia scenario, the hatch blewing up at 40 000 kph while returning earth... that's a potential risk. but as you say Thande
Maybe because I'm still under influence of Apollo CSM (30 tons) and Space Shuttle (75 tons) ? So I see heavy Big G...Quote:
As my Big G is launched by Saturn INT-20, it's not the 15 tons /Titan III variant , rather the much bigger one at 47 tons...
why so much mass ? even the 15 tons version (with more fuel) can do lunar Mission
by the way, if the SRB (if 2 x 88 tons) Ignition are made after Saturn Int-20 clear the launch tower
you need no big cuts in lanuchplatform.
most of 30 tons are Propellants (18413 kg) used for:Apollo CSM (30 tons)
or stay the LBG als Lunar orbital station durnig long LM mission ?