DarkLord said:
The "New" launch vehicle for the pyramid capsule was an enlarged Blue Streak with a squat Black Knight 2nd stage. a 3rd stage was to be housed in the aerodynamic shroud that mirrored the capsule on the nose of the launcher. The larger Blue Streak was to have had 4 engines. These were fuelled by Lox/Kerosine; the squat Black Knight was HTP/Kerosine. The 3rd stage was not specified, but it was to be a start/restart type of engine; so it would probably have been storable propellants. It was originally proposed to use a standard Blue Streak with A modified Black Knight 2nd stage, but as the calculations were done it became apparent that there was not enough boost. (a little like the Dyna Soar which started out on a Titan 1 and ended on a Titan 3) I saw several sketches of the "new" launcher during my days in the RAF. One of my lecturers who was involved with the Blue Streak from the RAF side, had a model of the launcher with the pyramid capsule and fairing in place as well as a presentation model of the Blue Streak in a launch silo. I would give what teeth I have left to own them! Or at least have a photo of them! He was at a senior level then, so he has probably departed this life now. The models are probably resting in an attic or have been lost.
Hi Barry,
No catch
Some years ago I was given a copy of the original paper that went with the 1959 BIS/Commonwealth symposium presentation. No recollection of Blue Streak being mentioned in it in the context of the booster.
Only in alternative proposals at a much later date by other authors’?
The sizes of the launch vehicle made public at that time are clearly not consistent with what was the then secret RAF Booster programme for which AW was one of the companies that did studies proposals for a three crew + two optional passenger “Spaceplane/Spacecraft”
Looking at the masses of the respective stages 1959 version, the figures appear to relate to an HTP/K powered first stage and a LH/LOX second stage.
HTP/K is a very dense propellant combination compared to LH/LOX for example
These two combinations are the only possible solution to the problem that I could think of at the time.
The second stage must have been LH/LOX or there was a huge amount of empty space which does not seem probable. (Note not generaly known but Official UK work on Hydrogen as a fuel started in 1951 or 1952. Westcott and other places!)
Hi Dark Lord,
Wonderful contribution, I would add a few teeth just to see those models.
As I understand it the definite “man” rated booster was 14ft diameter and from drawings circa 63ft in length,. this was with a 4RZ2 cluster, The cargo vehicle booster had a diameter of 16ft with similar length circa 63ft.and 5RZ2. also man rated to use American terms. But other engine combinations were explored or intended for operational use..
The 15ft diameter model was to ensure compatibility with American Military proposals, not sure of dates, .hence the 15ft Shuttle bay cross section is a legacy of that joint work.
Would be very interested in what the American proposals for launchers were and this is not a rhetorical question, can any one help.
There may have been variations on the theme so one can not rule out other suggestions
