National Launch System
Encyclopedia
The National Launch System (or New Launch System) was a study authorized in 1991 by President George H. W. Bush
to outline alternatives to the Space Shuttle
for access to Earth Orbit. Shortly thereafter, NASA asked Lockheed Missiles and Space, McDonnell Douglas
, and TRW
, to perform a ten-month study. A series of launch vehicles was proposed, based around the Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) liquid-fuel rocket engine, a proposed simplified, expendable version of the Space Shuttle Main Engine
(SSME). The largest of three proposed vehicles was designated NLS-1 and used for its core stage a modified Space Shuttle
External Tank which would feed liquid Oxygen
and liquid Hydrogen
to four STMEs attached to the bottom of the tank. A payload or second stage
would fit atop the core stage, and two detachable Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters
would be mounted on the sides of the core stage as on the Shuttle. Period illustrations suggest that much larger rockets than NLS-1 were contemplated, using multiples of the NLS-1 core stage.
in 1993. Perhaps the inevitable was already clear by 1992 with the selection of Daniel S. Goldin
to replace Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly
as NASA administrator. Goldin championed the motto,
"faster, better, cheaper," which may not have appeared to fit the ambitious NLS vision. A NASA history from 1998 offers that reusable Single-stage-to-orbit
(SSTO) rockets and space planes such as the DC-X and X-33 seemed attainable and represented smaller, simpler alternatives to the sprawling Shuttle program. NLS, by contrast, was more of a continuation of the Shuttle legacy. Whether it was ever explicitly stated, by the beginning of the Clinton administration, the expensive Space Shuttle and planned Space Station Freedom
programs had enough momentum to continue, and the SSTO projects showed enough promise to fund. There was no budget left for another big program, the National Launch System.
in 1994, Rocketdyne
realized that they would need a powerful, simple engine for the proposed liquid-fueled Common Booster Core
(CBC). NLS research on the STME, a simpler SSME, served as a starting point for the greatly simplified RS-68 that powers the Delta IV EELV rocket. The Delta IV Heavy rocket, composed of three Common Booster Cores, has already launched, and plans exist for rockets with as many as seven CBCs. It could be argued that with its SSME-derived engines and bundled Common Booster Core form, the Delta IV Heavy rocket represents an embodiment of the National Launch System ideal, albeit on a smaller scale.
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
to outline alternatives to the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
for access to Earth Orbit. Shortly thereafter, NASA asked Lockheed Missiles and Space, McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
, and TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
, to perform a ten-month study. A series of launch vehicles was proposed, based around the Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) liquid-fuel rocket engine, a proposed simplified, expendable version of the Space Shuttle Main Engine
Space Shuttle main engine
The RS-25, otherwise known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine , is a reusable liquid-fuel rocket engine built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for the Space Shuttle, running on liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Each Space Shuttle was propelled by three SSMEs mated to one powerhead...
(SSME). The largest of three proposed vehicles was designated NLS-1 and used for its core stage a modified Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
External Tank which would feed liquid Oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
and liquid Hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen is the liquid state of the element hydrogen. Hydrogen is found naturally in the molecular H2 form.To exist as a liquid, H2 must be pressurized above and cooled below hydrogen's Critical point. However, for hydrogen to be in a full liquid state without boiling off, it needs to be...
to four STMEs attached to the bottom of the tank. A payload or second stage
Multistage rocket
A multistage rocket is a rocket that usestwo or more stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant. A tandem or serial stage is mounted on top of another stage; a parallel stage is attached alongside another stage. The result is effectively two or more rockets stacked on top of or...
would fit atop the core stage, and two detachable Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters
Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters were the pair of large solid rockets used by the United States' NASA Space Shuttle during the first two minutes of powered flight. Together they provided about 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. They were located on either side of the rusty or...
would be mounted on the sides of the core stage as on the Shuttle. Period illustrations suggest that much larger rockets than NLS-1 were contemplated, using multiples of the NLS-1 core stage.
Program cancellation
The NLS program did not venture beyond the planning stages and did not survive the ascendancy of the Clinton administrationPresidency of Bill Clinton
The United States Presidency of Bill Clinton, also known as the Clinton Administration, was the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001. Clinton was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second full term...
in 1993. Perhaps the inevitable was already clear by 1992 with the selection of Daniel S. Goldin
Daniel Goldin
Daniel Saul Goldin served as the 9th and longest-tenured Administrator of NASA from April 1, 1992, to November 17, 2001. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and also served under President William Jefferson Clinton and George W...
to replace Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly
Richard H. Truly
Richard Harrison Truly is a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, Naval Aviator, former astronaut, and was the eighth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1989 to 1992...
as NASA administrator. Goldin championed the motto,
"faster, better, cheaper," which may not have appeared to fit the ambitious NLS vision. A NASA history from 1998 offers that reusable Single-stage-to-orbit
Single-stage-to-orbit
A single-stage-to-orbit vehicle reaches orbit from the surface of a body without jettisoning hardware, expending only propellants and fluids. The term usually, but not exclusively, refers to reusable vehicles....
(SSTO) rockets and space planes such as the DC-X and X-33 seemed attainable and represented smaller, simpler alternatives to the sprawling Shuttle program. NLS, by contrast, was more of a continuation of the Shuttle legacy. Whether it was ever explicitly stated, by the beginning of the Clinton administration, the expensive Space Shuttle and planned Space Station Freedom
Space Station Freedom
Space Station Freedom was a NASA project to construct a permanently manned Earth-orbiting space station in the 1980s. Although approved by then-president Ronald Reagan and announced in the 1984 State of the Union Address, Freedom was never constructed or completed as originally designed, and after...
programs had enough momentum to continue, and the SSTO projects showed enough promise to fund. There was no budget left for another big program, the National Launch System.
Legacy
Soon after the faster, better, cheaper Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) was proposed by the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in 1994, Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne was a Rocket engine design and production company headquartered in Canoga Park, California, United States. The company was related to North American Aviation for most of its history. NAA merged with Rockwell International, which was then bought by Boeing in December, 1996...
realized that they would need a powerful, simple engine for the proposed liquid-fueled Common Booster Core
Common Booster Core
The Common Booster Core is an American rocket stage, which is used on the Delta IV rocket as part of a modular rocket system. Delta IV rockets flying in the Medium and Medium+ configurations each use a single Common Booster Core as their first stage, whilst the Heavy configuration uses three; one...
(CBC). NLS research on the STME, a simpler SSME, served as a starting point for the greatly simplified RS-68 that powers the Delta IV EELV rocket. The Delta IV Heavy rocket, composed of three Common Booster Cores, has already launched, and plans exist for rockets with as many as seven CBCs. It could be argued that with its SSME-derived engines and bundled Common Booster Core form, the Delta IV Heavy rocket represents an embodiment of the National Launch System ideal, albeit on a smaller scale.
See also
- Human Explorations Framework Team (2010–2011)
- Space Launch SystemSpace Launch SystemThe Space Launch System, or SLS, is a Space Shuttle-derived heavy launch vehicle being designed by NASA, following the cancellation of the Constellation Program, to replace the retired Space Shuttle. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 envisions the transformation of the Ares I and Ares V vehicle...
(2010 - ) - Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans CommitteeReview of United States Human Space Flight Plans CommitteeThe Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee was a group reviewing the human spaceflight plans of the United States...
(Augustine Committee, 2009) - DIRECT (2006 - )
- Exploration Systems Architecture StudyExploration Systems Architecture StudyThe Exploration Systems Architecture Study is the official title of a large-scale, system level study released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in November 2005 in response to American president George W...
(2005) - Vision for Space ExplorationVision for Space ExplorationThe Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy which was announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. It is seen as a response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space...
(2004 - ) - Space Launch InitiativeSpace Launch InitiativeThe Space Launch Initiative was a NASA and U.S. Department of Defense joint research and technology project to determine the requirements to meet all the nation’s hypersonics, space launch and space technology needs...
(ca. 2002 - 2004) - National Space Policy (1996)
- Space Launch Modernization Plan (1994)
- Spacelifter program (1993)
- Access to Space Study (1993)
- Advanced Transportation System Studies (1992–1994)
- National Launch System (1991–1993)
- National AeroSpace Plane (ca. 1990 - 1993)
- Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program (Augustine Committee, 1990)
- Space Exploration InitiativeSpace Exploration InitiativeOn July 20, 1989, the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, George H. W. Bush — then President of the United States — announced plans for what came to be known as the Space Exploration Initiative...
(1989) - Advanced Launch System (1987–1990)
External links
- EELV - Boeing Contains good summary of NLS from an early 1990s perspective.
- Cycle 0(CY1991) NLS trade studies and analyses report. Book 1: Structures and core vehicle
- Cycle O (CY 1991) NLS trade studies and analyses, book 2. Part 1: Avionics and systems
- Cycle O(CY1991) NLS trade studies and analyses report. Book 2, part 2: Propulsion
- Many documents on NLS are available at the NASA Technical Reports Server, administered by the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Program OfficeNASA STI ProgramThe Scientific and Technical Information Program Office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration collects, organizes, preserves, and releases the Agency's scientific and technical information . STI is derived from NASA's research and development efforts and NASA projects, programs,...
. Search term: NLS