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Delta 4 + SeaLaunch = Delta 5?
"Colonel K" wrote in message om... "Dholmes" wrote in message ... The solids on Delta are very underpowered. The ones on Atlas have over twice as much fuel. Delta 2 uses up to 9 I can see no reason Delta 4 could not as well. A pair of reusable solids about half the size of the shuttles for both Atlas and Delta could prove interesting. The question is would it be cheaper. Delta's main engine makes a killer second stage for a very large rocket. Another option would be to use slightly shortened Deltas, 3 at launch and one as a second stage. but kerosene do seem to work best as a booster stage. Delta IV was not structurally designed to handle 9 solids, and can't be refitted for more than 4 without major redesign. One "small" obstacle is the pair of T-0 umbilical panels that occupy the north side of the vehicle. Boeing could probably show you some studies that indicate the market didn't require any more than 4 solids (I'm not saying they're correct, just that they no doubt have them). Thanks, I laways wondered why they stopped at 4. Good news is that doers not stop them from using 2 large solids in a Delta Heavy type set up. Assuming that it would be cheaper. |
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