Encyclopedia entry

Helios B

Launch vehicle · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle.

LEO Payload: 144,600 kg (318,700 lb) to a 556 km orbit. Payload: 81,600 kg (179,800 lb) to a earth escape.

Stage Data - Helios B

Stage 1. 1 x Helios B-1. Gross Mass: 236,000 kg (520,000 lb). Empty Mass: 14,000 kg (30,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 7,786.000 kN (1,750,362 lbf). Isp: 400 sec. Burn time: 110 sec. Isp(sl): 340 sec. Diameter: 6.70 m (21.90 ft). Span: 10.10 m (33.10 ft). Length: 8.80 m (28.80 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 5. Engine: Helios Stage 1. Status: Study, Ehricke, 1960. Comments: Booster stage with Lox tanks only to take nuclear second stage to stratosphere.

Stage 2. 1 x Helios B-2. Gross Mass: 177,000 kg (390,000 lb). Empty Mass: 29,000 kg (63,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 3,330.000 kN (748,610 lbf). Isp: 830 sec. Burn time: 355 sec. Diameter: 6.70 m (21.90 ft). Span: 10.10 m (33.10 ft). Length: 77.70 m (254.90 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Nuclear 14 Gw. Status: Study, Ehricke, 1960. Comments: Nuclear second stage.

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