Nova B

American heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle. Convair/Ehricke Nova design using standard tank/engine modules of 4.9 m diameter in both first and second stages; 6 F-1 engine/modules in first stage, 6 J-2 engine/modules in second stage.

LEO Payload: 112,000 kg (246,000 lb) to a 556 km orbit. Payload: 47,000 kg (103,000 lb) to a earth escape.

Stage Data - Nova B

• Stage 1. 1 x Nova B-1. Gross Mass: 1,995,000 kg (4,398,000 lb). Empty Mass: 100,000 kg (220,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 45,914.000 kN (10,321,877 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 121 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Span: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Length: 28.00 m (91.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 6. Engine: F-1. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.

• Stage 2. 1 x Nova B-2. Gross Mass: 614,000 kg (1,353,000 lb). Empty Mass: 38,000 kg (83,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 10,228.000 kN (2,299,345 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 228 sec. Isp(sl): 150 sec. Diameter: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Span: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Length: 23.80 m (78.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 7. Engine: J-2. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.

• Stage 3. 1 x Nova B-3. Gross Mass: 63,000 kg (138,000 lb). Empty Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 451.000 kN (101,388 lbf). Isp: 427 sec. Burn time: 533 sec. Diameter: 6.70 m (21.90 ft). Span: 6.70 m (21.90 ft). Length: 18.30 m (60.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 7. Engine: RL-10. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.