Nova D
Launch vehicle · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: © Mark Wade
American nuclear orbital launch vehicle. General Dynamics Nova vehicle using Nova B as first two stages, nuclear spacecraft with jettisonable tanks as upper stage.
LEO Payload: 112,000 kg (246,000 lb) to a 556 km orbit. Payload: 65,000 kg (143,000 lb) to a earth escape.
Stage Data - Nova D
- 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 D-3. Gross Mass: 96,000 kg (211,000 lb). Empty Mass: 12,000 kg (26,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 264.000 kN (59,349 lbf). Isp: 830 sec. Burn time: 2,513 sec. Diameter: 11.30 m (37.00 ft). Span: 11.30 m (37.00 ft). Length: 36.60 m (120.00 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Nerva. Status: Study General Dynamics 1960.