 | Nova C
Credit - © Mark Wade
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Nuclear orbital launch vehicle. Year: 1960. Family: Nova. Country: USA. Status: Study 1960. General Dynamics Nova vehicle using Nova A as first two stages, nuclear spacecraft with jettisonable tanks as upper stage. Manufacturer: Convair. LEO Payload: 68,000 kg (149,000 lb). to: 556 km Orbit. Payload: 38,000 kg (83,000 lb). to a: escape trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 26,688.600 kN (5,999,836 lbf). Total Mass: 1,887,600 kg (4,161,400 lb). Core Diameter: 9.80 m (32.10 ft). Total Length: 106.00 m (347.00 ft).
Stage Data - Nova C - Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Nova A-1. Gross Mass: 1,342,000 kg (2,958,000 lb). Empty Mass: 73,000 kg (160,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 30,616.000 kN (6,882,750 lbf). Isp: 304 sec. Burn time: 121 sec. Isp(sl): 265 sec. Diameter: 9.80 m (32.10 ft). Span: 11.90 m (39.00 ft). Length: 28.00 m (91.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 4. Engine: F-1. Status: Study 1960.
- Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Nova A-2. Gross Mass: 403,000 kg (888,000 lb). Empty Mass: 29,000 kg (63,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 5,334.000 kN (1,199,130 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 284 sec. Isp(sl): 150 sec. Diameter: 9.80 m (32.10 ft). Span: 11.90 m (39.00 ft). Length: 23.80 m (78.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 4. Engine: J-2. Status: Study 1960.
- Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: Nova C-3. Gross Mass: 61,000 kg (134,000 lb). Empty Mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 264.000 kN (59,349 lbf). Isp: 830 sec. Burn time: 1,553 sec. Diameter: 9.10 m (29.80 ft). Span: 9.10 m (29.80 ft). Length: 36.60 m (120.00 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Nerva. 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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