Nova C
Launch vehicle · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: © Mark Wade
American nuclear orbital launch vehicle. General Dynamics Nova vehicle using Nova A as first two stages, nuclear spacecraft with jettisonable tanks as upper stage.
LEO Payload: 68,000 kg (149,000 lb) to a 556 km orbit. Payload: 38,000 kg (83,000 lb) to a earth escape.
Stage Data - Nova C
- Stage 1. 1 x Nova A-1. Gross Mass: 1,342,000 kg (2,958,000 lb). Empty Mass: 73,000 kg (160,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 30,616.000 kN (6,882,750 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 121 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 9.80 m (32.10 ft). Span: 11.90 m (39.00 ft). Length: 28.00 m (91.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 4. Engine: F-1. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.
- Stage 2. 1 x Nova A-2. Gross Mass: 403,000 kg (888,000 lb). Empty Mass: 29,000 kg (63,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 5,334.000 kN (1,199,130 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 284 sec. Isp(sl): 150 sec. Diameter: 9.80 m (32.10 ft). Span: 11.90 m (39.00 ft). Length: 23.80 m (78.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 4. Engine: J-2. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.
- Stage 3. 1 x Nova C-3. Gross Mass: 61,000 kg (134,000 lb). Empty Mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 264.000 kN (59,349 lbf). Isp: 830 sec. Burn time: 1,553 sec. Diameter: 9.10 m (29.80 ft). Span: 9.10 m (29.80 ft). Length: 36.60 m (120.00 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Nerva. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.