Space Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Projects

Antonio

Antonio

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Can I outrun you with the Virtus?
Click to expand...

Matej, the link to your web doesn't works for me (I have even tried from a Windows PC) :(

So I add drawings courtesy from Lark
 

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Lark's drawings coming from Aviation Magazine number 629 (1-3-74)

I have found this version from Dennis R Jenkins "Space Shuttle"
http://www.amazon.com/Space-Shuttle-National-Transportation-Missions/dp/0963397451/sr=1-1/qid=1168123818/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-6399913-6222227?ie=UTF8&s=books
 

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From a strict technical point of view : is a twin-747 feasible ? I'm just curious...
 
Well, the Twin 747 is a Boeing proposal, so I guess it must have some possibility. There'd have to be some serious beefing up of the centre-wing though...
 
I still prefer this transport .. ;D
(from Aviation Week 1/1974, see http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2759.0/highlight,megalifter.html) )
 

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Twin C-5A were also considered for TSTO or SSTO studies in the 70's (again, from Lindroos website)
 
Hi,

http://photovalet.com/182347
 

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Anybody can identify what is that beast from hesham post?

Thanks in advance,

Antonio
 
Archibald refers to the Salkeld studies.
Here's the link where I found it at: http://www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_US/shuttle/1960-80/

Hesham, good find.

Moonbat
 

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Thanks a lot Moonbat,

this scan seems to be taken from Dennis R. Jenkins "Space Shuttle" but can't find referenced to Salkeld Studies in my copy which is 1992's first edition...maybe is time to consider to purchase a 3rd edition copy.
 
pometablava said:
Anybody can identify what is that beast from hesham post?

Thanks in advance,

Antonio
Click to expand...

Mmmm it's intersting and quite unknown, at least for me.
It seems a twin C-5 with atop a winged (and manned?) first stage with an STS Orbiter as second stage.
The most interesting thing is to see an STS Orbiter with USAF markings.
 
Excuse me,what was this ?,I don't remember.
http://www.space.com/images/ss2blog-B.jpg
 

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hesham said:
Excuse me,what was this ?,I don't remember.
http://www.space.com/images/ss2blog-B.jpg
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It seems some Russian thing.
Maybe the good flateric knows something more.
 
Hi,

Russia's International Institute for Advanced Aerospace Studies proposes to develop a
1,500-ton twin-body "Ekranoplan" wing-in-ground effect seaplane as a launch platform
for future reusable launch vehicles. Such a vehicle would be able to release launch
vehicles at a speed of about 500 km/h. Demonstration tests are planned with a 400-ton
subscale Ekranoplan model in 2001.
http://www.orbireport.com/News2000-03.html
 

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I just LOVE these old covers... This one is particular savory, with its "USSF" (United States Submarine Force?) and the imaginary national markings! Nice find...
 
Stargazer2006 said:
I just LOVE these old covers... This one is particular savory, with its "USSF" (United States Submarine Force?) and the imaginary national markings! Nice find...
Click to expand...

I would presume that USSF means United States Space Force. I also presume that the artist reasoned that the United States Space Force emblem would not use the wing design of the United States roundel.
 
Note helpful instructions.
 

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Dennis Jenkins' "Space Shuttle" 3rd edition has a picture on page 197 of the same support strut with an older(?) version of the stencil that reads:
Caution Place Orbiter Here Black Side Down
Lefty Loosy
Righty Tighty

Martin
 
Hi,

From NASA report;

Since the orbiter cannot be flown on such a mission, a large aircraft
is needed to transport the orbiter. It has been proposed that an
existing B-747 aircraft be modified to meet these. requirements.
The B-747 would carry the orbiter or booster tank on top
of the fuselage in piggyback fashion. (See ref. 1.) An alternative
approach might be to develop a new aircraft for the mission
requirements which could carry the orbiter below the aircraft rather
than above as in the B-747 proposal. One configuration (ref. 2)
for this new aircraft would use a high straight wing with a 137-m
(450-ft) span and twin fuselages and tail booms. The orbiter or
orbiter booster tank would be carried between the fuselages and
below the high wing.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19750020004_1975020004.pdf
 

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Hi,

I can ID this WIG as shuttle carrier.
 

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hesham said:
I can ID this WIG as shuttle carrier.
Click to expand...

Is that the Beriev Be-5000? (see http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,10591.msg99832.html#msg99832)

index.php
 
Just saw this on another site:

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/001838.html

I like it, but I think he needs an image with the shuttle atop the SCA as well.
 

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After looking at the pictures above, three words popped into my mind...Thunderbirds Are Go!
 
Did are the two Virtus fusaleges taken from ealry B-52s??
They look like that to me....
 
This is, ofcourse, not a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft but rather an air launcher. Slightly different......., especially since the concept, as far as I know, was never considered in association with the Space Shuttle.
 
hesham said:
Hi,

Russia's International Institute for Advanced Aerospace Studies proposes to develop a
1,500-ton twin-body "Ekranoplan" wing-in-ground effect seaplane as a launch platform
for future reusable launch vehicles. Such a vehicle would be able to release launch
vehicles at a speed of about 500 km/h. Demonstration tests are planned with a 400-ton
subscale Ekranoplan model in 2001.
http://www.orbireport.com/News2000-03.html
Click to expand...


The same concept.


http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376042106000637
 

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pometablava said:
Can I outrun you with the Virtus?
Click to expand...

Matej, the link to your web doesn't works for me (I have even tried from a Windows PC) :(

So I add drawings courtesy from Lark
Click to expand...

Hi,

http://archive.aviationweek.com/image/spread/19740204/20/2
http://archive.aviationweek.com/image/spread/19740204/21/2
 

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