NASA LogoNTRSNTRS - NASA Technical Reports ServerSearchmore_vertCollectionsAboutNewsHelpLogin Back to ResultsLiquid flyback booster pre-phase: A study assessmentThe concept of a flyback booster has been around since early in the shuttle program. The original two-stage shuttle concepts used a manned flyback booster. These boosters were eliminated from the program for funding and size reasons. The current shuttle uses two Redesigned Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM's), which are recovered and refurbished after each flight; this is one of the major cost factors of the program. Replacement options have been studied over the past ten years. The conclusion reached by the most recent study is that the liquid flyback booster (LFBB) is the only competitive option from a life-cycle cost perspective. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and practicality of LFBB's. The study provides an expansion of the recommendations made during the aforementioned study. The primary benefits are the potential for enhanced reusability and a reduction of recurring costs. The potential savings in vehicle turnaround could offset the up-front costs. Development of LFBB's requires a commitment to the shuttle program for 20 to 30 years. LFBB's also offer enhanced safety and abort capabilities. Currently, any failure of an RSRM can be considered catastrophic, since there are no intact abort capabilities during the burn of the RSRM's. The performance goal of the LFBB's was to lift a fully loaded orbiter under optimal conditions, so as not to be the limiting factor of the performance capability of the shuttle. In addition, a final benefit is the availability of growth paths for applications other than shuttle.Document ID19950005521Acquisition SourceLegacy CDMSDocument TypeTechnical Memorandum (TM)AuthorsPeterson, W.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Ankney, W.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Bell, J.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Berning, M.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Bryant, L.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Bufkin, A.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Cain, L.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Caram, J.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Cockrell, B.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Curry, D.*(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)*Date AcquiredSeptember 6, 2013Publication DateSeptember 1, 1994Subject CategoryLaunch Vehicles And Space VehiclesReport/Patent NumberNAS 1.15:104801S-778NASA-TM-104801Accession Number95N11934Distribution LimitsPublicCopyrightWork of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.Available DownloadsNameType19950005521.pdfSTIcloud_downloadcontent_copyvisibilityRelated RecordsThere are no records associated with this record.visibility_offNo Preview Available
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