Also published in Lockheed Horizons, this design was meant for launch atop a Saturn Ib. It *may* have been part of the Manned Orbiting Research Lab studies. The Gemini logistics craft appear to be minimally modified.
Sep 252013
Sep 232013
Artwork from the 1960’s (latter half of the decade) depicting a six-man space station. This was published in “Lockheed Horizons,” so almost certainly depicts a Lockheed concept. it is shown being services by Gemini-derived logistics craft. While these were McDonnell vehicles, Lockheed really didn’t have an important space logistics craft of their own in design, so they didn’t have much choice in the matter but to use either the McDonnell Gemini or the North American Apollo.
This design is clear similar to the Manned Orbital Laboratory. Like the MOL, this design was meant for launch atop a Titan III. Length uncertain, but diameter would be about 10 feet.
Sep 192013
A long way from being complete. But here’s a look at diagrams being prepared for the article on the Model 2050E X-20 Dyna Soar. This will include not only the proposed operational versions, including bomber, shuttle, rescue, interceptor and so on, but also alternate launch vehicles. Since there has never been a really good layout diagram of the ultimate X-20 on the Titan III released, I’ve created one. Two, actually… the X-20 with just the transtage atop the Titan IIIc with the early UA-1205 boosters, and an operational Dyna Soar with external separation motors, cargo section and later UA-1205 motors. Additionally, Titan III with 156-inch boosters and Saturn C-IB concepts proposed by Boeing.
Sep 182013
Experimental Spaceplane Shooting for “Aircraft-Like” Operations in Orbit
To help address these challenges, DARPA has established the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program. The program aims to develop a fully reusable unmanned vehicle that would provide aircraft-like access to space. The vehicle is envisioned to operate from a “clean pad” with a small ground crew and no need for expensive specialized infrastructure. This setup would enable routine daily operations and flights from a wide range of locations. XS-1 seeks to deploy small satellites faster and more affordably, while demonstrating technology for next-generation space and hypersonic flight for both government and commercial users.
“We want to build off of proven technologies to create a reliable, cost-effective space delivery system with one-day turnaround,” said Jess Sponable, DARPA program manager heading XS-1. “How it’s configured, how it gets up and how it gets back are pretty much all on the table—we’re looking for the most creative yet practical solutions possible.”
DARPA seeks ideas and technical proposals for how to best develop and implement the XS-1 program. The agency has scheduled an XS-1 Proposers’ Day for Monday, October 7, 2013. The agency also plans to hold 1-on-1 discussions with potential proposers on the following day, October 8, 2013. Advance registration is required; more information is available at http://www.sa-meetings.com/XS1ProposersDay. Registration closes on Tuesday, October 1,2013, at 12:00 PM EDT. For more information, please email DARPA-SN-14-01@darpa.mil.
The DARPA Special Notice describing the specific capabilities the program seeks is available at http://go.usa.gov/DNkF. A Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for XS-1 is forthcoming and will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
Note that the DARPA artwork depicts the XS-1 here in a global strike configuration, equipped with an upper stage and a warhead, either a conical MIRV_style, or perhaps a lifting HTV-type. In either event, the basic layout sure seems familiar… hmmm…
Sep 162013
A new ground attack plane is actually being built in the US:
Seems like a reasonable design for a subsonic bushfighter, though the decision to have the engines in nacelles *that* close to the wings, but not faired into them, seems odd. That area looks draggy. At first glance it would seem that fairing that spot over wouldn’t increase drag but would decrease weight.
It has six underwing hardpoints and an internal payload bay. first flight is by the end of the year, pretty quick by normal aerospace standards (development began in early 2012). With the DoD buy a combat aircraft that was not developed to their specifications?
| Aircraft Length | 43 ft 6 in |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 4 in |
| Height | 14 ft 0 in |
| Standard Empty Weight | 11,800 lbs |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 21,250 lbs |
| Max Internal Fuel Load | 6,000 lbs |
| Max Internal Payload Bay | 3,000 lbs |
| Thrust | ~8,000 lbs |
| Max Speed | 450 KTAS |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft |
| Ferry Range | 2,400 NM |
Sep 152013
DARPA To Start Reusable Launch Vehicle Program
Short form: a spaceplane to fly 10 times in 10 days (which would necessitate a system that is reliable, rugged and needs relatively little and cheap maintenance) that can fly up to Mach 10 (ouch… harsh) and carry a payload that could eventually translate into an upper stage capable of putting 1,800 kilograms into orbit for no more than $5M per launch.
DARPA released a few bits of concept art showing winged vehicles, but the XS-1 need not be winged… a DC-X clone might do the job. Illustrations taken from the presentation HERE.
The Mach 10 requirement is odd and confusing. The math on launch vehicle design rarely requires that a multistage launcher stage off the first stage much faster than Mach 5.
An Industry Day is coming in early October.
Sep 152013
During the heady days of the late 1970’s/early 1980’s Solar Power Satellite program, a number of fairly large launch vehicles were designed to haul the vast amounts of material needed in orbit. One that received a fair amount of press was a Boeing single stage to orbit design. Basically shaped like a Mercury capsule, this design became known as “Big Onion.” It’s unclear exactly how it got that name, and by whom; no official Boeing model number is known for it.
The Big Onion and the other heavy lifters of the time were not as powerful as the Post-Saturn vehicles studied a decade earlier. Where the earlier designs had million-pound payloads, “Big Onion” and its ilk topped out at around half a million. The purpose was low cost transport of vast quantities of material, not the largest possible payload in one shot.
Sep 112013
Issue number 4 of US Bomber Projects is now available (for background, see HERE). This issue includes:
McDonnell System 464L: McDonnell’s entry into the initial Dyna Soar contest, 1958
Lockheed-Martin Falcon: A recent design for an unmanned hypersonic global range bomber
Lockheed Senior Peg: Lockheed’s competitor to the Northrop B-2
Boeing Mobile Missile Carrier: A giant hydrogen fueled amphibian
Boeing Model 701-273-4: A very asymmetrical supersonic predecessor to the B-59
Lockheed Cruise Missile Carrier: A large nuclear-powered cargo plane converted to carry 90 cruise missiles
Boeing Model 462-5: A six-turboprop B-52 ancestor
Martin Model 223-4: A twin-fuselage design on the road to the B-48
USBP#04 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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Sep 112013
Issue number 3 of US Bomber Projects is now available (for background, see HERE). This issue includes:
- Rockwell D 645-4A: A compact stealthy flying wing
- Lockheed System 464L: Lockheed’s entry into the initial Dyna Soar program, 1958
- Convair Mach 4 “Rollover:” A Mach 4 seaplane with a unique approach
- Boeing Model 701-273-3: An asymmetrical supersonic precursor to the B-59
- Boeing HSCT Model 1080-854: A late 1980’s missile carrier derivative of a commercial supersonic transport
- Martin Model 223-3: A canard antecedent to the B-48
- Boeing Model 462: A large six-turboprop ancestor of the B-52
USBP#03 can be downloaded as a PDF file for only $4.25:
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Sep 112013
A Boeing artists impression of a 747 modified to launch ICBMs (probably Minuteman IIIs). Dates from 1974. Missile load appears to be at least 4. Given how far aft the missiles are dropped, there would likely be an impressive pitch even upon drop.
From an old ebay auction.
