This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
The Tip Tank Concept: An Economic Orbital Transportation System
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Event:
Space Technology Conference
Language:
English
Abstract
A major step forward in economical near-earth orbital transport capability can be achieved through the “Tip Tank Concept,” based on the development of an integrated launch/re-entry vehicle with a high-degree of reusability. It consists of a long slender vehicle which carries all launch, orbital and re-entry subsystems for subsequent reuse -- plus low cost, lightweight, “throw-away” propellant tanks attached to the sides of the vehicle. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve orbit, utilizing present-day technology, without requiring any additional booster.
The integration of the boost propulsion system into the vehicle is a developmental problem which should be solvable utilizing existing booster technology. The operational costs of the tip tank orbital transport system are shown to be approximately one-fourth of the operational costs of a system using an expendable booster such as Titan IIIC with a reusable spacecraft.
Authors
Citation
Quest, R., "The Tip Tank Concept: An Economic Orbital Transportation System," SAE Technical Paper 670226, 1967, https://doi.org/10.4271/670226.Also In
References
- Koelle H. H. Rutland C. H. “Toward a Reusable Earth-Moon Transportation System.” Astronautics and Aeronautics January 1964
- Bailey R. A. Kelly D. L. “Potential of Recoverable Booster Systems for Orbital Logistics.” Astronautics and Aeronautics January 1964
- Stephens R. R. Rauch R. P. “The Influence of Manned Mission Requirements on Spacecraft Design and Selection.” Third AIAA Annual Meeting December 1966
- Bono Philip “The Rombus Concept.” Astronautics and Aeronautics January 1964