NASA NTRS · 19740021179
A shuttle development flight test vehicle study
Abstract
A study is presented that identifies the potential performance capability of the production shuttle orbiter for powered flight tests using several propulsion systems following vertical takeoff and using J-2 rocket engines following air launch. Of the approaches considered, the air-launched orbiter equipped with J-2 rocket engines appeared to have the highest potential for early shuttle development flights. With this approach, mach 4 appeared attainable using 45.5K kg (100K lb) of internal propellant. Several issues were identified that require resolution to prove feasibility.
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Rainey, R. W., Rehder, J. J., Klich, P. J.. 1974-06-01. A shuttle development flight test vehicle study. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19740021179
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