Saturn C-4

The Saturn C-4 was the fourth rocket in the Saturn C series studied from 1959 to 1962. The C-4 design was proposed in 1960 for a three-stage launch vehicle that could launch 99,000 kg (218,000 lb) to Low Earth orbit and send 32,000 kg (70,000 lb) to the Moon via Trans-lunar injection. It met the initial requirements for a lunar orbit rendezvous and lunar landing mission.[1]

Saturn C-4
FunctionLEO and Lunar launch vehicle
Manufacturer
Country of originUnited States
Cost per launch43.5 million
Cost per year1985
Size
Height269.0 feet (82.0 m)
Diameter320 inches (8.1 m)
Mass1,023,670 pounds (464,330 kg)
Stages3
Capacity
Payload to LEO218,000 pounds (99,000 kg)
Payload to TLI70,000 pounds (32,000 kg)
Associated rockets
FamilySaturn
ComparableSaturn V
Launch history
StatusProposed (1962)
Launch sitesplanned SLC 37, LC-39; Kennedy Space Center
First stage – S-IB-4
Length113.10 feet (34.47 m)
Diameter320 inches (8.1 m)
Empty mass149,945 pounds (68,014 kg)
Gross mass1,599,433 pounds (725,491 kg)
Engines4 Rocketdyne F-1
Thrust6,000,000 pounds-force (27,000 kN)
Specific impulse265 sec (sea level)
Burn time139 seconds
FuelRP-1/LOX
Second stage – S-II-4
Length69.80 feet (21.28 m)
Diameter320 inches (8.1 m)
Empty mass54,978 pounds (24,938 kg)
Gross mass449,840 pounds (204,040 kg)
Engines4 Rocketdyne J-2
Thrust800,000 pounds-force (3,600 kN)
Specific impulse300 sec (sea level)
Burn time200 seconds
FuelLH2 / LOX
Third stage – S-IVB
Length61.6 feet (18.8 m)
Diameter21.7 feet (6.6 m)
Empty mass29,700 pounds (13,500 kg)
Gross mass271,000 pounds (123,000 kg)
Engines1 Rocketdyne J-2
Thrust225,000 lbf (1,000 kN)
Specific impulse421 seconds (4.13 km/s)
Burn time165 + 335 seconds (2 burns)
FuelLH2 / LOX

It would have consisted of three stages; an S-IB-4 first stage, a S-II-4 second stage and a S-IVB third stage. The first and second stages were essentially four-engine variants of the stages that would be used on the Saturn V, while the IVB stage was actually used on both the Saturn V and the Saturn IB.

It would have been capable of sending the 30,000 kg (67,000 lb) Apollo Command/Service Module into lunar orbit, but it would not have been able to carry the 15,000 kg (32,000 lb) Apollo Lunar Module as well. Although NASA eventually used the lunar orbit rendezvous method to go to the Moon, it decided to use the larger Saturn V which would provide a reserve payload capacity.

See also

References
  1. "Saturn C-4". Astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
    • Encyclopedia Astronautica Saturn C-4
    • Bilstein, Roger E, Stages to Saturn, US Government Printing Office, 1980. ISBN 0-16-048909-1. Excellent account of the evolution, design, and development of the Saturn launch vehicles.
    • Stuhlinger, Ernst, et al., Astronautical Engineering and Science: From Peenemuende to Planetary Space, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1964.
    • NASA, "Earth Orbital Rendezvous for an Early Manned Lunar Landing," pt. I, "Summary Report of Ad Hoc Task Group Study" [Heaton Report], August 1961.
    • David S. Akens, Saturn Illustrated Chronology: Saturn's First Eleven Years, April 1957 through April 1968, 5th ed., MHR-5 (Huntsville, AL : MSFC, 20 Jan. 1971).

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