Nova NASA 4 F-1 Credit - © Mark Wade Media Gallery

Earliest NASA Nova design, using only 4 F-1's, capability less than later Saturn designs.

Manufacturer: NASA. LEO Payload: 68,000 kg (149,000 lb). to: 160 km Orbit. Payload: 24,000 kg (52,000 lb). to a: translunar trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 33,712.000 kN (7,578,759 lbf). Total Mass: 3,084,600 kg (6,800,300 lb). Core Diameter: 15.50 m (50.80 ft). Total Length: 78.00 m (255.00 ft).

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Nova 59-4-1. Gross Mass: 2,177,000 kg (4,799,000 lb). Empty Mass: 136,000 kg (299,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 38,697.000 kN (8,699,431 lbf). Isp: 295 sec. Burn time: 150 sec. Isp(sl): 257 sec. Diameter: 15.50 m (50.80 ft). Span: 15.50 m (50.80 ft). Length: 23.20 m (76.10 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 5. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1959. Empty Mass Estimated

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Nova 59-4-2. Gross Mass: 590,000 kg (1,300,000 lb). Empty Mass: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 7,560.000 kN (1,699,550 lbf). Isp: 310 sec. Burn time: 215 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 5.20 m (17.00 ft). Span: 5.20 m (17.00 ft). Length: 16.20 m (53.10 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1959. Empty Mass Estimated

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: Nova 59-4-3. Gross Mass: 168,000 kg (370,000 lb). Empty Mass: 18,000 kg (39,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,421.000 kN (319,453 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 426 sec. Isp(sl): 306 sec. Diameter: 5.20 m (17.00 ft). Span: 5.20 m (17.00 ft). Length: 14.00 m (45.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 4. Engine: LH2-80k. Status: Study 1959. Empty Mass Estimated

• Stage Number: 4. 1 x Stage: Nova 59-4-4. Gross Mass: 68,000 kg (149,000 lb). Empty Mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 353.000 kN (79,357 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 672 sec. Isp(sl): 306 sec. Diameter: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Span: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Length: 11.90 m (39.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: LH2-80k. Status: Study 1959. Empty Mass Estimated

1959 January 19 - Launch Vehicle: Saturn V, Nova 4L.

• Contract with Rocketdyne for development of the F-1 engine Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. NASA signed a definitive contract with Rocketdyne Division, NAA, for $102 million covering the design and development of a single-chamber, liquid-propellant rocket engine in the 1- to l.5-million-pound-thrust class (the F-1, to be used in the Nova superbooster concept). NASA had announced the selection of Rocketdyne on December 12.References: 16.

• NASA National Space Vehicle Program Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. After consultation and discussion with DOD, NASA formulated a national space vehicle program. The central idea of the program was that a single launch vehicle should be developed for use in each series of future space missions. The launch vehicle would thus achieve a high degree of reliability, while the guidance and payload could be varied according to purpose of the mission. Four general-purpose launch vehicles were described: Vega, Centaur, Saturn, and Nova. The Nova booster stage would be powered by a cluster of four F-1 engines, the second stage by a single F-1, and the third stage would be the size of an intercontinental ballistic missile but would use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. This launch vehicle would be the first in a series that could transport a man to the lunar surface and return him safely to earth in a direct ascent mission. Four additional stages would be required in such a mission.References: 16.

• NASA Booster Development Plan for 60's Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Class: Manned. NASA issues plan for development in next decade of Vega (later cancelled as too similar to Agena), Centaur, Saturn, and Nova launch vehicles. Juno V renamed Saturn I. References: 26, 27.

• National booster program, Dyna-Soar, and Mercury discussed Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Mercury. The national booster program, Dyna-Soar, and Project Mercury were discussed by the Research Steering Committee. Members also presented reviews of Center programs related to manned space flight. Maxime A. Faget of STG endorsed lunar exploration as the present goal of the Committee although recognizing the end objective as manned interplanetary travel. George M. Low of NASA Headquarters recommended that the Committee:
  • Adopt the lunar landing mission as its long-range objective.
  • Investigate vehicle staging so that Saturn could be used for manned lunar landings without complete reliance on Nova.
  • Make a study of whether parachute or airport landing techniques should be emphasized.
  • Consider nuclear rocket propulsion possibilities for space flight.
  • Attach importance to research on auxiliary power plants such as hydrogen-oxygen systems.
  References: 16.

• Goett Committee Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Class: Manned. Committee formed to recommend post-Mercury space program. After four meetings, and studying earth-orbit assembly using Saturn II or direct ascent using Nova, tended to back development of Nova. References: 26, 27.

• House recommends a high priority manned expedition to the moon Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. The House Committee on Science and Astronautics declared: "A high priority program should be undertaken to place a manned expedition on the moon in this decade. A firm plan with this goal in view should be drawn up and submitted to the Congress by NASA. Such a plan, however, should be completely integrated with other goals, to minimize total costs. The modular concept deserves close study. Particular attention should be paid immediately to long lead-time phases of such a program." The Committee also recommended that development of the F-1 engine be expedited in expectation of the Nova launch vehicle, that there be more research on nuclear engines and less conventional engines before freezing the Nova concept, and that the Orion project be turned over to NASA. It was the view of the Committee that "NASA's 10-year program is a good program, as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. Furthermore the space program is not being pushed with sufficient energy."References: 16.

• First meeting of the Manned Lunar Landing Task Group Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo CSM, Apollo Lunar Landing. At the first meeting of the Manned Lunar Landing Task Group, Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Director of the Office of Space Flight Programs Abe Silverstein, and Director of the Office of Advanced Research Programs Ira H. Abbott outlined the purpose of the Group to the members. After a discussion of the instructions, the Group considered first the objectives of the total NASA program:
  1. the exploration of the solar system for knowledge to benefit mankind; and
  2. the development of technology to permit exploitation of space flight for scientific, military, and commercial uses.
  NASA's lunar program was a logical step toward these objectives. In current lunar program planning, three steps were projected:
  1. a manned landing on the moon with return to earth,
  2. limited manned lunar exploration, and
  3. a scientific lunar base.
  To accomplish the first step, a great increase in launch vehicle capability would be needed beyond that provided by current funding. A comparison of a three-million-pound-thrust and a six-million-pound-thrust Nova launch vehicle was made. It was estimated that a 60,000- to 80,000-pound payload to escape velocity would be needed for a manned lunar landing mission.References: 16.

• Final report of the Low Committee Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft: Apollo Lunar Landing. The Manned Lunar Landing Task Group (Low Committee) transmitted its final report to NASA Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr. The Group found that the manned lunar landing mission could be accomplished during the decade, using either the earth orbit rendezvous or direct ascent technique. Multiple launchings of Saturn C-2 launch vehicles would be necessary in the earth orbital mode, while the direct ascent technique would require the development of a Nova-class vehicle. Information to be obtained through supporting unmanned lunar exploration programs, such as Ranger and Surveyor, was felt to be essential in carrying out the manned lunar mission. Total funding for the program was estimated at just under $7 billion through Fiscal Year 1968.References: 16.

• Scala, Keith J, and Swanson, Glen E, Quest, "They Might Be Giants Part 1", Fall, 1992. Unique account of the Nova study contracts of the 1960's.