NationStates Jolt Archive


Next Generation STS in Service with Layartebian Space Agency

Layarteb
02-12-2004, 06:38
The Layartebian Defense Corporation today announced that it has finally completed the NG-STS (Next Generation Space Transport System) project. After countless years of development, testing, R&D, and one mishap, the NG-STS is finally ready to take action.

The NGSTS is an improvement over the STS in all aspects. The engines are newer and stressed to last up to 60 flight hours versus 7.5 for the STS. Additionally, the NGSTS is constructed out of a newer, lighter, more dense, stronger, and better heat resistant material that is currently classified by the LDC and EOL-DOD. The NGSTS can lift a payload of some 200,000 lb. into LEO versus 63,500 lb. from the STS. While the NGSTS uses the same external fuel tank and SRB set up as the STS, it uses the newer SRBs that use gel fuel rather than solid. Additionally, the NGSTS can, with extra boosters, reach the moon and deploy a lander, which is currently still in development. Just like the STS, the NGSTS recovers by landing and is reusable. The LSA plans to build 5 such vehicles.

The LSA plans to retire all 10 STS systems currently in use. The ILSF-7A through J will be retired later this year. The new shuttles will take on the designation ILSF-8A, B, C, D, and E. The names will be as follows: Neptune, Venus, Jupiter, Pluto, and Mars.

The ceremonial first mission is set for this coming winter for the ILSF-8A Neptune to blast off to the Layartebian Space Station, "Explorer" to relieve the current crew. Layarteb Space Station post (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=368030).

[Orbiter]
Crew Capacity: Up to 10
Cost: $6.8B
Length: 150.2 ft.
Wingspan: 82.9 ft.
Empty Mass: 190,000 lb.
Maximum Mass: 450,000 lb.
Payload Capacity: 200,000 lb.
Fuel Weight: 60,000 lb. of C.A.R.L.I.E. mixture with fuel cell
Maximum Velocity: 17,320.72 mph (7.74 kmps)
Orbit: 115 to 400 miles [LEO]; lunar [LIM]
Space Shuttle Main Engine: 3 enhanced burn engines
Thrust per Engine: 500,000 lb.
Total Thrust: 1,500,000 lb.
Orbital Maneuvering and Reaction Control System: 50 reaction jets
Thrust: N/A
Lunar Injection Booster: 2 mounted on dorsal spine next to tail
Thrust per Booster: 1,250,000 lb.
Total Thrust: 2,500,000 lb.
Range for Lunar Injection Booster System: 750,000 miles

[Solid Rocket Booster]
Cost: $250M
Length: 149.16 ft.
Diameter: 12.17 ft.
Empty Weight: 192,000 lb.
Propellant Weight: 1,100,000 lb.
Maximum Weight: 1,300,000 lb.
Propellant Type: C.A.R.L.I.E. mixture
Burn Time: 120 seconds
Thrust: 3,300,000 lb.

[External Tank]
Cost: $200M
Length: 153.8 ft.
Diameter: 27.6 ft.
Empty Weight: 66,000 lb.
Liquid Oxygen Weight: 1,361,936 lb. (143,351 gallons)
Liquid Hydrogen Weight: 227,641 lb. (385,265 gallons)
Maximum Weight: 1,655,600 lb.
Separation Time: 510 seconds

[Complete System]
Cost: $7.50B
Launch Cost: $900M per launch
Height: 182.4 ft.
Maximum Weight: 4,705,600 lb.
Maximum Thrust: 8,100,000 lb.

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Other/NGSTS-1.jpg
Layarteb
12-12-2004, 21:46
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Today, at 3:44 P.M., from launch complex 2, in Venezuela, the Layartebian ILSF-8A Neptune blasted off successfully on its first mission. The space shuttle will be delivering supplies to Layarteb's space station as well as rotating the crew. All systems functioned nominally and the standard thirty-second delay was accounted for. This is a great day and means the previous STS fleet can be fully retired. The delivery of ILSF-8B is scheduled for next month with operations comencing in six months.

http://hogwild.net/images/Misc/space-shuttle-blast-off-atlantis.jpg