[X] My Assistant

[RedSky]

Here, supposedly, is a sneek peak at the upcoming... not yet released... report on the CEV/ Return to the Moon architecture:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/graph...07/18731963.jpg

Here's the full article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom...=orl-home-promo

Look familiar? Basically an Apollo CSM (=CEV), a beefed up LM (4-man... but I'm sure due to budget and weight... will be cut back to 3 or 2 person).

Instead of one launch on a Saturn V equivalent, there is a crew launch CEV on a single SRB "stick" configuration, and the S4B-LM piece on the shuttle-derived vertical in-line cargo launcher... Seen here, for those who haven't run across this site yet:

http://www.safesimplesoon.com/media-images.htm

[Guest_Sunspot_*]

WOW...... those images of the Buran are amazing......

So the Buran didnt have main engines like the shuttle - they were on the large external tank?

[RedSky]

WOW...... those images of the Buran are amazing......
So the Buran didnt have main engines like the shuttle - they were on the large external tank?

The Buran itself only had the equivalent of the U.S. Shuttle's two orbital manuvering system (OMS) engines at the back. The main engines for launch were on the aft of the tank. That's why the Energia stack could be used as heavy lift launcher without Buran.

Its funny that the poor Energia of 20 years ago was already very close to (if not better than) what is trying to be developed by the new Shuttle Derived Launch Vehicle proposals. Instead of the two solid fuled SRBs, Energia typically used 4 strap-on liquid fuled boosters. It could even use 6 strap on boosters (or eight, if they ever went to an in-line vertical cargo carrier instead of the side attached cargo configuration).

BTW, the strap on liquid fueled boosters were meant to be reusable, which I never knew before. I always wondered what those dark, rectangular pod-like projections were outboard on the fore and aft of the strap on boosters. From the site http://www.buran.ru/htm/rocket.htm and its many fabulous graphics, I found that they housed landing struts. The boosters were to parachute down, being held horizontal (not vertical like the SRBs), and land on the extended struts.

[RedSky]

BTW, the strap on liquid fueled boosters were meant to be reusable, which I never knew before.  I always wondered what those dark, rectangular pod-like projections were outboard on the fore and aft of the strap on boosters.  From the site http://www.buran.ru/htm/rocket.htm and its many fabulous graphics, I found that they housed landing struts.  The boosters were to parachute down, being held horizontal (not vertical like the SRBs), and land on the extended struts.

I finally (re)found the page showing the Energia boosters soft-landing sequence. Because I don't know Russian, its not easy to find my way around this site. But anyway, near the bottom of the page there is actually a graphic that shows the booster "landed" on its struts. Perhaps, today, they might have considered airbags instead of the struts, since any horizontal motion in the cutes' descent might make for a pretty tough time for struts.

http://www.buran.ru/htm/09-3.htm

And here is a page with photos showing the boosters being mass produced.

http://www.buran.ru/htm/08-3.htm

To think, 25 years ago, what U.S. space & military planners would have done to have had a look at those pictures that today, are mere historical curiosities.