|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Will the real Titan II 1st stage stand up
In the past I have heard newsgroup posts about the Titan II first stage,
that it had a gross mass of 269,000 lbs and an empty mass of 9000 lbs, which would give it a mass ratio of over 29! See a posting by Mitchell Burnside Clapp at: http://webhome.idirect.com/~earlcp/messages/M1168.HTML halfway down the page. But when I look at Encyclopedia Astronautica at http://www.friends-partners.ru/partn...lvs/titan2.htm I see the gross mass at 117,866 kg (260,000 lbs) and an empty mass of 6,736 kg (14850 lbs), giving a mass ratio of 17.5 So, which is the right value? Thanks, -- Larry |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Will the real Titan II 1st stage stand up
In the past I have heard newsgroup posts about the Titan II first stage,
that it had a gross mass of 269,000 lbs and an empty mass of 9000 lbs, which would give it a mass ratio of over 29! See a posting by Mitchell Burnside Clapp at: http://webhome.idirect.com/~earlcp/messages/M1168.HTML halfway down the page. But when I look at Encyclopedia Astronautica at http://www.friends-partners.ru/partn...lvs/titan2.htm I see the gross mass at 117,866 kg (260,000 lbs) and an empty mass of 6,736 kg (14850 lbs), giving a mass ratio of 17.5 So, which is the right value? Thanks, -- Larry It is much closer to Mitch's number than the other figure. I expect the difference can be attributed to the mode of operation. The Titan II ICBM (and Gemini-Titan) ran the first stage tanks dry (i.e., burn to propellant depletion). The current SLV version (using the very same stage and engines) doesn't. In fact, as I recall, the residuals at 1st stage shutdown are about half again as much as the structural empty weight, nicely explaining the difference you observe. Why does the USAF operate it that way? No one from Aerospace Corp. has ever been able to give me a satisfactory answer. They just do. Gary C Hudson |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
cheap access to space - majority opinion | Cameron Dorrough | Technology | 15 | June 27th 04 03:35 AM |
Titan 4s costly | AllanStern | Space Shuttle | 9 | February 17th 04 05:02 AM |
Will the real Titan II 1st stage stand up | Rusty B | Technology | 0 | August 28th 03 06:42 PM |
Will the real Titan II 1st stage stand up | Larry Gales | Technology | 0 | August 28th 03 06:04 AM |
NASA Selects Winning Student Design For Titan Aerial Vehicle | Ron Baalke | Technology | 0 | August 7th 03 06:08 AM |