Project DG-Launcher

[N_Molson]

Work in progress...

This launcher can send a fully loaded DGIV (fuel, crew, cargo) from the Cape to ISS orbit ! (27 tons LEO). It's somewhere between a DeltaIV rocket & the Shuttle Launch System. It uses a RS-68 engine + GEM60's SRB. This is a versatile configuration : you can remove 2 GEM60's if you don't have any cargo, maybe 4 if you don't need a full fuel tank. It's more-or-less the DeltaIV EELV concept.

While it looks visually simple, I've done work "under the hood" compared to the previous launcher ("DLL inside" ), which allows various particle effects....

 

[Tacolev]

These are fantastic Molson! Can't wait to see the final US and the Russian one.

It's also curious that the alternative booster scenario pack that popped up for the European launcher didn't include one particularly obvious alternative configuration...

 

[N_Molson]

Yep, Ariane boosters seem appropriated too

Work in progress, I'd say that the US booster is 70% done.

---------- Post added 07-03-10 at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was 07-02-10 at 09:17 PM ----------

Ascent to orbit after SRBs separation. Notice the "empty" SRB rails. Nozzle rendered after Delta4 RS-68, the scale should be about right. I added some "integral stringers" too.

 

[mc_]

Looks good, and pretty flexible for different purposes.

Still waiting to see "russian" one.

 

[N_Molson]

Working on the main tank textures, trying to render a "rough paint" texture...



---------- Post added at 04:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 AM ----------

Nearing completion... Maybe a release for Tuesday ?



NB : the small white cloud you see on the top of the booster (middle pic) simulates condensation at MaxQ (DynPress > 30k)

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:22 PM ----------

[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4703"]Released on OrbitHangar[/ame]

As usual, thanks for feedback / bug report / things that doesn't seem to work...

 

[N_Molson]

First pic of the third launcher (no textures, work in progress)

 

[Tacolev]

Oh fantastic, this one is to be in-line?

 

[N_Molson]

You've guessed right

This one is created from scratch, the sources of inspiration I use are Tchelomei's designs for spaceplanes, Korolev for the clustered structure (that you don't see here) & LOX/Kerosene propellant, and Glushko for the engines (RD-117 & RD-118).

The ISP is rather low in comparison of the other boosters, which means a lot of engines and a lot of propellant ! Also, launching from Baikonur doesn't help on that matter

But it will be able to carry a full load to the ISS, like it's American counterpart.

 

[mc_]

Looks like it will be something different from the other two...

 

[N_Molson]

Still a lot of work, but it should give you a better idea of the concept... Obviously, there will be "holes" in the fairing for the wings...



Below you can see the town of Leninsk on the river Syr-Daria, the (military/restricted) airport, and the dusty road that leads to the Baïkonur launch complexes, about 15 kilometers away.

 

[Tacolev]

Interesting. Looks a lot like the Energia M-launched version of the OK-M spaceplane

 

[N_Molson]

I must say there are 10 boosters at liftoff... Only 4 are remaining here, the thing drinks Kerosene as if it was Vodka ! :lol:

 

[Loru]

I wonder what is the point of encasing DG inside the fairing?

 

[N_Molson]

Mainly to help with aerodynamics, the first stage being unprotected. Also, I think it's better to have the "lattice attachement system" protected from dynamic pressure. And it allows a cargo-configuration.

I'm also thinking about an escape system, but that's not possible with Velcro. Maybe later !

 

[Izack]

The Delta-glider is fairly aerodynamic to begin with, no?

 

[mc_]

Just my suggestion: maybe, boosters should look like a first stage blocks on R-7?

 

[N_Molson]

Yes, the DG is aerodynamic, but the system that attach it to the booster could probably not handle pressure that the airflow and winds could put on the DG.

 

[T.Neo]

The system that attaches the shuttle orbiter to the ET is in the airflow, so it should be fine (unless I'm missing something blatantly obvious about the design).

 

[N_Molson]

Here's a view of the attachement system. The idea is that a fairing would take the biggest part of the dynamic pressure, which would put relief on the not-so-strong attachement system (the other side of the DG is attached too).

 

[Izack]

Oh, I see now.
Still, couldn't the same be accomplished by simply covering the attachment structure with a shell, instead of a massive fairing over the entire Deltaglider?