Gommersall
Launch vehicle · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American SSTO VTOVL orbital launch vehicle. Edward Gomersall of NASA's Ames Research Center produced a conservative design for an SSTO in 1970. His vehicle was based on realistic structural technology and used a derivative of the J-2S engine.
Through use of strap-on solids it could be used to launch manned lunar spacecraft, 100 metric ton space stations, or passengers with the use of a winged spaceplane upper stage. The paper, seen as a threat to NASA's push for a winged shuttle, was suppressed and Gomersall assigned to other duties.
Related
- Family
- orbital launch vehicle, SSTO
- Country
- USA
- Agency
- NASA Ames
- Bibliography
- 565