Artist's impression of the launch of a Shuttle-C vehicle. Shuttle-C has been proposed as an unmanned expendible heavy-lift launcher based on existing

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Artist's impression of the launch of a Shuttle-C vehicle. Shuttle-C has been proposed as an unmanned expendible heavy-lift launcher based on existing Shuttle technology. Using the present boosters and external tank, Shuttle-C would be powered by two or three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). This would allow a payload of between 45 tonnes and 77 tonnes to be transferred to the Freedom Space Station, or 9 tonnes into geostationary orbit with the Centaur upper stage. Shuttle-C could also be used as a low-risk platform for testing new SSME designs and the proposed Advanced Solid Rocket Booster.

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Size: 3520px × 5091px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: derivatives, launcher, manned, program, programme, shuttle, shuttle-, space, spaceflight