Nova B
Nova B
Credit - © Mark Wade
Orbital launch vehicle. Year: 1960. Family: Nova. Country: USA. Status: Study 1960.

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.

Manufacturer: Convair. LEO Payload: 112,000 kg (246,000 lb). to: 556 km Orbit. Payload: 47,000 kg (103,000 lb). to a: escape trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 40,024.400 kN (8,997,843 lbf). Total Mass: 2,806,400 kg (6,187,000 lb). Core Diameter: 12.20 m (40.00 ft). Total Length: 84.00 m (275.00 ft).


Stage Data - Nova B
  • Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: 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 1960.
  • Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: 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 1960.
  • Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: 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 1960.

Bibliography and Further Reading
  • Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961. The only such comprehensive handbook ever produced, and at the dawn of the space age.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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