Saturn V-B

American orbital launch vehicle. MSFC study, 1968. Intriguing stage-and-a-half to orbit design using Saturn S-ID stage. The S-ID would be the same length and engines as the standard Saturn IC, but the four outer engines and their boost structure would be jettisoned once 70% of the propellant was consumed, as in the Atlas ICBM. This booster engine assembly would be recovered and reused. The center engine would be gimbaled and serve as a sustainer engine to put the rest of the vehicle and its 50,000 pound payload into orbit. At very minimal cost (36 months lead-time and $ 150 million) the United States could have attained a payload capability and level of reusability similar to that of the space shuttle.

LEO Payload: 22,600 kg (49,800 lb) to a 185 km orbit at 28.00 degrees.

Stage Data - Saturn V-B

• Stage 0. 1 x Saturn S-ID Booster. Gross Mass: 67,100 kg (147,900 lb). Empty Mass: 67,100 kg (147,900 lb). Thrust (vac): 30,962.500 kN (6,960,647 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 154 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Span: 19.01 m (62.36 ft). Length: 42.07 m (138.02 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 4. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1967. Comments: Boeing studies, 1967:'Stage and a half' S-1C with four outboard F-1's jettisoned and inboard F-1 functioning as sustainer as in Atlas. Booster half stage recoverable. Mass estimated based on double mass of four F-1's (based on Atlas example).

• Stage 1. 1 x Saturn S-ID Sustainer. Gross Mass: 2,219,100 kg (4,892,200 lb). Empty Mass: 68,100 kg (150,100 lb). Thrust (vac): 7,740.300 kN (1,740,089 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 315 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 10.06 m (33.00 ft). Span: 19.01 m (62.36 ft). Length: 42.07 m (138.02 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1967. Comments: Boeing studies, 1967:'Stage and a half' S-1C with four outboard F-1's jettisoned and inboard F-1 functioning as sustainer as in Atlas. Booster half stage burns 124 seconds in this configuration.