"Damon Hill" wrote in message
32...
"Dholmes" wrote in
:

While doing research on competing rockets I had this crazy idea:

If you take the first stage of SeaLaunch and then use the first stage
of a
Delta 4 as a second stage you have a rocket that can launch (based on
my quick calculations) over 60,000 lbs to LEO.
About the same 60,000 lbs to GTO if the Delta 4 second stage is used
as a third stage.
That would dwarf any other rocket on the maket today with no new
technology.

Two Zenit first stages in parallel with a Delta IV second stage ignited
at altitude would be a hellava launch vehicle.

My quick estimate says about 90,000 to LEO and 75,000 to GTO.


Does any one know how hard it would be to do and if there would be any
market?

Sea Launch would need extensive redesign to handle a much larger vehicle
and install liquid hydrogen facilities. I don't think it's feasible.

New launch pad/facilities. Alas, no market at present.

I'd rather focus on a Delta IV with reusable liquid boosters, or a major
upgrade to a cryogenic second stage on Zenit and Delta IV second stage
as the third stage.

Where would reusable liquid boosters come from?
Any sort of boosters with more thrust, even solids, would be a big boost to
Delta.
A second stage with nore thrust would help for LEO as well.


When there's a mission requiring heavy-lift/high energy, as in a manned
return to the Moon, we'll certainly see more serious proposals along these
lines.

--Damon