Project ETS-Evolved Transport System

[Loru]

Due to fact that launcher prooved itself more versatile than expected I have to change thread name.

Developement of launcher for ETS-Evac shuttle:


Launcher Parameters

Shuttle Mass                  13 000 kg
-------------------------------------------------------------
Stage II:
structural mass + engine        7000 kg 
RP1/LOX Isp 342               40 000 kg 

                              47 000 kg total
Engine:
1x Merlin 1C Vacuum: 411kN thrust in vacuum 

--------------------------------------------------------------
Stage I

structural mass + engine               40 000 kg 
RP1/LOX Isp 309              400 000 kg 

                             440 000 kg total

Engine:
1 x RD-180: 3.83 MN at sea level
-------------------------------------------------------------
2 x Booster Stage (figures for one booster)

structural mass               18 000 kg
APCP Isp 250                 100 000 kg

                             118 000kg total for each booster

1 x Engine APCP SRM: 2.6 MN each

Stage II in progress

I hope this project won't overwhelm me as MTS did.

---------- Post added 05-06-11 at 11:05 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-05-11 at 03:15 PM ----------

working on stage 2 - I had to increase volume to incorporate 40 ton of fuel

---------- Post added at 02:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------

Slow work on texturing the thing.

---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

Second stage textured

 

[N_Molson]

Cool decals !! :thumbup:

 

[Arthur Dent]

Is the stage slightly conical?

 

[Loru]

Is the stage slightly conical?

Aye. 3 meters min. & 4 meters max diameter.

---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------

Working on first stage engine

---------- Post added at 06:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------

turbopump

---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:46 PM ----------

---------- Post added 05-07-11 at 01:18 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-06-11 at 07:31 PM ----------

Engine finished: Not exactly RD-180 but quite close resemblance I think.

 

[N_Molson]

Seems pretty good to me ! :thumbup:

 

[Loru]

Mounted on fuselage

---------- Post added at 02:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 AM ----------

Important queston - anyone knows density of APCP fuel?

 

[Wishbone]

Looks like it depends on the particle size, which is predicated on required burn rate. Sorry, no solid figure available, unless you can derive one from a known booster.

 

[N_Molson]

Yes, if you find the internal volume and the mass of powder of an existing booster, you've won.

 

[Loru]

Some shots of complete stack

---------- Post added 05-08-11 at 01:29 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-07-11 at 06:22 PM ----------

...and like all of my 3d work it was meshed in dos mode on old 3d Studio R4

---------- Post added at 05:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 AM ----------

Work on LV's textures is done

 

[Loru]

Hard work on smoke textures continues...

---------- Post added 05-18-11 at 12:30 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-17-11 at 09:17 PM ----------

And working on SRB flames:

 

[Woo482]

And a little more work on the SRB flames:

They're looking pretty nice to me :thumbup:

 

[K_Jameson]

An excellent work, mainly on the engine meshes! :thumbup:
Textures seems a little "cartoonish" to me, but are ok!

A question: a spaceplane of this small size really require a three-stage launcher?
A two-stage launcher with an RD-171 or Merlin 2 instead of the RD-180 can't be a cheaper option?

 

[Loru]

...

A question: a spaceplane of this small size really require a three-stage launcher?
A two-stage launcher with an RD-171 or Merlin 2 instead of the RD-180 can't be a cheaper option?

Probably you're right.

Actually I've calculated this launcher not to exceed 3.5 G during whole boost phase. I don't want to kill the crew. Also launcher can lift other payloads than Prometheus.

Probably next project would be optimized better.

 

[Loru]

experimenting with 2 stage design and heavier payload - MTS Shuttle. I lack 1.5 km/s but it will probably be doable to achieve orbit in this config

 

[Loru]

Developement continues...

Launcher is quite versatile.

1 - MTS Vertigo Shuttle

2 - ETS Prometheus Shuttle

3 - Unmanned Cargo version

Current work on LES for manned version.

 

[Izack]

How configurable is the launcher planned to be? Variable azimuth, altitude, fairings, boosters, stages?

 

[Loru]

For now there are 4 "hard" configurations selectable from scenario editor

1 - MTS shutlle (LES incorporated in payload adapter)
2 - ETS shutlle (LES incorporated in payload adapter)
3 - Cargo Version (4 boosters + Core Stage - no LES)
4 - Cargo Version II (4 Boosters+ Core stage + Upper Stage - no LES) for GEO and interplanetary launches

Probably cargo versions will come with 2 or 3 sets of fairings to acomodate different payload sizes.

No AP yet but I'm thinking about something similar to Kulch's Energia.

 

[K_Jameson]

excellent rocket.
maximum LEO payload capacity?

 

[Loru]

as for now ~ 27 tons in 4 Boosters + 1 Stage config without LES module. But I have to make few tests to determine exact value. Remember that it lacks high energy core or upper stage (LH2/LOX) to avoid big sized tank and to simplify fuel loading. All stages except boosters are RP-1/LOX - even the shuttles

Also rocket is already equipped with payload manager to ease in-sim loading.

 

[Izack]

Also rocket is already equipped with payload manager to ease in-sim loading.

Huzzah! That phrase isn't heard often enough. :thankyou: