Overview of the Beta II two-stage-to-orbit vehicle designA design concept for fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) vehicle is reviewed in terms of adapting the Beta vehicle to revised mission requirements. The Beta II vehicle is discussed in terms of study-mission requirements such as horizontal takeoff and landing, a 10,000-lb payload, and a 120-nm polar orbit. The fully reusable TSTO concept specified in the study is found to be feasible with a moderate gross lift-off weight particularly if air-breathing propulsion is incorporated.
Document ID
19910069465
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Plencner, Robert M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)