The VentureStar has a typical launch vehicle internal structure (Image A). Similar to the Space Shuttle design, the LO2 Tank is placed atop the LH2 Tank. In this case, the LO2 Tank is lobed and two (not one) LH2 Tanks are placed underneath and on either side forming the isosceles triangular shape.
The rocket engines are placed underneath the two LH2 Tanks, forming the base of the triangle.
Image A: VentureStar Interior View
The rocket engines are placed underneath the two LH2 Tanks, forming the base of the triangle.
The Cargo Hold is situated in between the two LH2 Tanks.
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The VentureStar looks very similar to the US Space Shuttle, with a white surface on the top and a dark metallic Thermal Protection System (TPS) heat shield on the bottom (Image B and Image C).
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| Image B: VentureStar Enterior View (Cargo Doors CLOSED) |
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| Image C: VentureStar Exterior View (Cargo Doors OPEN) |
Specifications
On the ground, the VentureStar would look like any other ordinary spaceliner (Image D).
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| Image D: VentureStar on Landing Gear |
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Now we can establish the mass of the VentureStar Spaceliner RLV.
Equations
PROPELLANT MASS = LH2 MASS + LO2 MASS
EMPTY MASS = STRUCTURAL MASS + ROCKET ENGINE MASS + SUBSYSTEMS MASS
PEO GROSS MASS = PROPELLANT MASS + EMPTY MASS + PEO PAYLOAD MASS
PEO GLOW = g0(PEO GROSS MASS)
g0 = Standard Earth Gravity
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Propellant
PROPELLANT MASS = LH2 Mass + LO2 Mass
WET MASS = 172337 + 947855
WET MASS = 1,120,192 kg
Dry Mass
EMPTY MASS = STRUCTURAL MASS + ROCKET ENGINE MASS + SUBSYSTEMS MASS
EMPTY MASS = 82786 + 33254 + 9123
EMPTY MASS = 125,163 kg
Gross Mass
PEO GROSS MASS = PROPELLANT MASS + EMPTY MASS + PEO PAYLOAD MASS
CEO GROSS MASS = 1120192 + 125163 + 21003
CEO GROSS MASS = 1,226,357 kg
Gross Liftoff Weight
PEO GLOW = g0(PEO GROSS MASS)
CEO GLOW = 9.80665(1226357)
CEO GLOW = 12,418,723 N
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