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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.

Country
USA
Agency
NASA Ames
Bibliography
565