RIFT at Astronautix
Image credit: Convair
Image source: SDASM Archives
Category: Launch System
Gemini
SASSTO
SASSTO (Saturn Application Single-Stage-to-Orbit) combined launch vehicle and spacecraft. Only 62.3 ft (19m.) tall, a single plug-nozzle engine would serve both as launch vehicle and for soft-landing back on Earth after an orbital mission. The craft – seen here with a Gemini two-man capsule – would be recovered intact and could be used repeatedly. It would be a particularly appropriate for ferry missions into Earth-orbit including the emergency rescue of astronauts.
- Optional fairing around the two-man Gemini Capsule;
- Gemini adapter section;
- Transition support structure;
- Orbit injection / retro and control propellant tanks (6);
- Toroidal liquid-oxygen tank;
- Annular combustion chamber;
- Truncated plug nozzle and re-entry heat shield;
- Attitude-control system (4);
- Retractable landing legs (4);
- Spherical liquid-hydrogen propellant tank.
Frontiers of Space
Philip Bono & Kenneth Gatland
Macmillan, 1969
Image credit: Douglas
Image source(s):
Apollo Flight Configuration
The Saturn V configuration is shown in inches and meters as illustrated by the Boeing Company. The Saturn V vehicle consisted of three stages: the S-IC (first) stage powered by five F-1 engines, the S-II (second) stage powered by five J-2 engines, the S-IVB (third) stage powered by one J-2 engine. A top for the first three stages was designed to contain the instrument unit, the guidance system, the Apollo spacecraft, and the escape system. The Apollo spacecraft consisted of the lunar module, the service module, and the command module. The Saturn V was designed perform lunar and planetary missions and it was capable of placing 280,000 pounds into Earth orbit.
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA MSFC
Saturn V Apollo
Outpost III
Ithacus Explained
- Ithacus troop transport launched from a nuclear carrier;
- Troops disembark from Ithacus rocket at their destination halfway across the world;
- After transfer from the interior, empty vehicle is taken by barge to a convenient coastal spaceport for reconditioning and relaunch.
Image credit: Douglas
Image source: SDASM Archives
Inside Deimos
ROMBUS
Configuration for a manned Mars mission (Project Deimos).
- Six man Mars landing capsule;
- Pressurized tunnel;
- Toroidal living compartment;
- Liquid hydrogen tanks (8);
- Spherical liquid oxygen tank
- Booster centerbody.
Project Deimos – Mars Landing Module
- Earth-return capsule;
- Command centre and pressurized tunnel;
- Separation joint, for return to Mars orbit;
- Mars landing propellant tanks(6);
- Ground access hatch;
- Mars-launch platform;
- Payload and power supply equipment compartment;
- Mars-launch propellant tank;
- Landing and take-off rocket motor;
- Jettisonable closure panel;
- Mars-entry heat shield;
- Extensible landing gear(4);
- Altitude-control system quads (4).
Frontiers of Space
Philip Bono & Kenneth Gatland
Macmillan, 1969
Image credit: Douglas
Image source: Numbers Station
Pegasus Cutaway & Plan
Pegasus Intercontinental Passenger Rocket
- Forward pressure dome;
- Two-man crew compartment;
- Re-entry stabilization fines (2);
- Cargo compartment;
- Aft pressure dome;
- Pressurized cabin for passengers (170);
- Deck structure (4) with passenger couches (43 each).
Pegasus during atmospheric re-entry uses the LH2-cooled plug nozzle as a heat shield. The ballistic transport would convey 172 passengers and freight 7,456 miles (12,000 km.) in 39 min. without exceeding an acceleration of 3g during ascent or re-entry. At the arrival spaceport it would hover on rocket thrust during a soft landing in the vertical attitude.
Pegasus Passenger Compartment
- Four-level passenger access doors (3);
- Stairways (2) connecting four passenger decks;
- Double-wall acoustic damping structure;
- Luggage racks (9);
- Re-entry stabilization fins (2).
Frontiers of Space
Philip Bono & Kenneth Gatland
Macmillan, 1969
Image credit: Douglas / Blandford Press
Image source(s):
Selena Storyboard
How re-usable ROMBUS-type launch vehicles can be applied to construction of a temporary lunar base (Project Selena).
- Vehicle en route for the Moon is refuelled in Earth Orbit;
- Soft-lands on the Moon with lunar base components;
- Pressurized moon-tractor hauls hydrogen tanks adapted for human habitation to assembly site;
- The lunar base is ready for occupation.
Frontiers of Space is peppered with artwork from Douglas, including paintings by Don Charles and James Finnell. In the book, this section was illustrated with (pretty poor) knock-offs. Why? Who knows? These were the masters.
Image credit: Douglas
Image source: SDASM Archives
Deimos Storyboard
Mission to Mars (Project Deimos)
- Hydrogen tanks jettison as ROMBUS spaceship accelerates from Earth-orbit;
- Two hydrogen tanks jettison after retro-thrust into Mars orbit. Mars Landing Module separates from ROMBUS parent above the cratered deserts;
- After soft-landing, astronauts begin exploration setting out research equipment and taking meteorological soundings;
- Ascent stage of Mars Landing Module returns astronauts to ROMBUS parent in Martian orbit for return to Earth.
Frontiers of Space
Philip Bono & Kenneth Gatland
Macmillan, 1969
Image credit: Douglas
Image source: SDASM Archives
NAR Art Department
Shuttle Program at Astronautix
Image credit: North American / Rockwell
Image source: Numbers Station
numbers station 