A survey of commercially available expendable heavy lift launch     vehicles
By: by Joseph J. Mihal, Jr
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 107
Description: This thesis examines the launch vehicle options available to place a heavy payload, 10 tons, into a low-earth-orbit. The study provides the current status of the space launch vehicle market for heavy lift launchers. The following launchers are looked at in detail: Titan 3, Proton, Energia, Long March 3, Ariane 5, and the H-2. Vehicle design history and launch record are examined. Each launcher is then examined and broken down by stages, including the payload sections. A typical launch sequence is included for each vehicle. Finally, the cost of the various launchers is examined. Conclusions regarding the future need of heavy lift launch vehicles and a look at the current political environment is made.
Notes: Thesis advisor(s): Dan C. Boger, Carl R. Jones.

"June 1994."

Thesis (M.S. in Systems Technology) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1994.

Includes bibliographical references.

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.