Martin Marietta Spacemaster

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Spacemaster
Has useManned Re-usable orbital launch vehicle
ManufacturerMartin Marietta
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height128 m (420 ft)
Diameter8.0 m (26.2 ft)
Mass1,600,000 kg (3,500,000 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass22,700 kg (50,000 lb)
Launch history
StatusCancelled
Launch sitesLC-39 Kennedy Space Center
Total launches0
First stage
Powered by14 Rocketdyne SSME
Maximum thrust28,080 kN (6,310,000 lbf)
Burn time155 seconds
PropellantLH2/LOX
Second stage
Powered by2 Rocketdyne SSME
Maximum thrust4,549 kN (1,023,000 lbf)
Burn time276 seconds
PropellantLH2/LOX

The Martin Marietta Spacemaster was a proposed configuration for what became the Space Shuttle, which featured an X-24-derived orbiter, and an unusual "catamaran style" booster stage. During launch and ascent, the orbiter would be located in a recess in the booster. The booster's 14 engines would be located in clusters of seven, at the bottom of both halves of the booster. Unlike the final design for the Space Shuttle, the Spacemaster would lack an external tank, and the boosters would be joined, by means of connecting struts which would also serve as the mounting for the orbiter.

The concept was evaluated in 1967, but was rejected. Martin Marietta went on to produce the Space Shuttle external tank (ET) for the final STS Space Shuttle design (by Lockheed Martin after a merger with Lockheed).

A model of the Martin Marietta Spacemaster is in the collection of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Model, Space Shuttle, Martin Marietta Spacemaster Two-Stage Concept, 1:96". National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 2018-08-19.

External links[]


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