Programmatic and technical parameters associated with Shuttle/Centaur development and operations

The cost, schedule, technical, integration, and performance parameters associated with the development of the Shuttle/Centaur configurations, Centaur G and Centaur G-Prime, for compatibility with various elements of the STS are discussed. It is noted that the design concepts for these configurations involved the use of as much flight-proven hardware from the Atlas/Centaur program as possible. Forward and aft adapters were designed using graphite/epoxy composite structures for strength, weight, and thermal flow considerations. The Centaur integrated support system serves as the system interface for all systems between the Shuttle and Centaur from prelaunch through deployment of the Centaur in LEO. As a result of the Shuttle accident of January 28, 1986, the earliest possible flight for the Centaur mission appears to be December 1987.