A Space & astronomy forum. SpaceBanter.com

Go Back   Home » SpaceBanter.com forum » Space Science » Space Shuttle
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Falcon Heavy - What can you do with 53 tonnes?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old April 14th 11, 02:15 AM posted to sci.space.shuttle
Alan Erskine[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,026
Default Falcon Heavy - What can you do with 53 tonnes?

* I'm trying to 'find' payloads for this vehicle (although I'm sure Mr
Musk and company have ideas)....

* Dragon is a tad on the small size, but what about a sort of
'midi-shuttle'? A reuseable spaceplane would be a handy replacement for
STS.

* The payload fairing is way too small for the payload capacity, so will
there be other payload fairings for the FHeavy?

* Space stations, like Bigelow's BA-330?

* Moon program? I've come up with an idea that would have required
seven 'Delta V' (an LV that consists of four Delta IV CBC's strapped to
a New Core Stage with two RS-68 engines and the same burn time as the
CBC and a new upper stage with two RL-60/MB-60 engines; payload to LEO
was about 55 tonnes - 2 more than FHeavy, but I think I can tweek the
design) LV's and would put people back on the Moon in less than six
years. That program would cost over $300million per launch - SpaceX
just 'saved' me over $1.2 billion per year - more flights, or less
overall cost, or more development.

Mind you, Dragon might not be able to deal with the higher G ratings
needed for Lunar return, so a new crew return vehicle might be needed.

* Large interplanetary probes? What about a lander on Europa, Ganymede
or Callisto to perform a search for life. The lander would have to be
somewhat bigger than Viking (Mars) to carry a drilling rig, or it could
use a RTG-powered 'melter' to get through the ice.

Any other ideas? What about the much-touted fuel depot?



 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Falcon Heavy David Spain Policy 8 April 12th 11 08:49 PM
Falcon Heavy Snidely Space Shuttle 2 April 12th 11 08:49 PM
Falcon 9 Heavy vs. Soviet N-1 Pat Flannery Policy 6 November 12th 09 10:41 PM
Falcon 9 Heavy vs. Soviet N-1 Pat Flannery Policy 0 November 9th 09 09:17 PM
Falcon 9 Heavy vs. Soviet N-1 Pat Flannery Policy 0 November 9th 09 08:52 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 SpaceBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.