Encyclopedia entry

Timberwind

Launch vehicle · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American nuclear-powered orbital launch vehicle. DARPA project. Nuclear fission engine using pebble bed reactor with spherical fuel elements.

Flyaway Unit Cost 1985$: 166.660 million.

Stage Data - Timberwind

Stage 0. 2 x Titan USRM. Gross Mass: 357,239 kg (787,577 lb). Empty Mass: 52,040 kg (114,720 lb). Thrust (vac): 7,560.681 kN (1,699,709 lbf). Isp: 286 sec. Burn time: 140 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Span: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Length: 33.54 m (110.03 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: USRM. Other designations: Upgraded Solid Rocket Motor. Status: In production.

Stage 1. 1 x Timberwind 250. Gross Mass: 170,000 kg (370,000 lb). Empty Mass: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 2,450.000 kN (550,780 lbf). Isp: 1,000 sec. Burn time: 493 sec. Isp(sl): 780 sec. Diameter: 8.70 m (28.50 ft). Span: 8.70 m (28.50 ft). Length: 30.00 m (98.00 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Timberwind 250. Status: Development 1992.

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