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Saturn V / S-IVB - why re-ignition?

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Author	Topic: Saturn V / S-IVB - why re-ignition?
Paul78zephyr Member Posts: 678 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005	posted 07-26-2008 07:46 PM The S-IVB ignited twice during a Apollo lunar mission - 1st during the ascent to the parking orbit and then again to send the CSM/LM out of earth orbit. Would it not have been simpler to have designed the S-IC/S-II stages to have been able to achieve the required parking orbit without having to ignite the S-IVB and then used the S-IVB only once (one ignition) to push the stack out of earth orbit? Perhaps a bit larger S-IC/S-II set but a smaller/simpler S-IVB? Paul
LCDR Scott Schneeweis New Member Posts: From: Registered:	posted 07-26-2008 08:58 PM The whole point of staging is to shed mass and reduce the propellant load required to achieve orbit..the Saturn V would have had to have been much larger to carry the necessary propellant (which would have also either mandated engines with a higher rated ISP then the F-1s could deliver and/or require additional engine(s)) to place the S-IC and or S-II into orbit. ------------------ Scott Schneeweis http://www.SPACEAHOLIC.com/
Mr Meek Member Posts: 353 From: Chattanooga, TN Registered: Dec 2007	posted 07-26-2008 10:16 PM quote: Originally posted by Paul78zephyr: Perhaps a bit larger S-IC/S-II set but a smaller/simpler S-IVB? A larger S-IC? That's hard to imagine. If anything, the alternative would be a smaller S-IC, S-II, and S-IV to boost an Earth Departure Stage and the CSM/LM. However, that has its own complexities. MSFC dropped that design in favor of the S-IVB. The Space Launch Report has an interesting article on the development of the Saturn V. It explains some of the rationale behind the design changes.
LCDR Scott Schneeweis New Member Posts: From: Registered:	posted 07-26-2008 10:32 PM Of course if you just wanna "supersize" then CAPT Truax's 580 foot tall, 80 million pound thrust sea launched Sea Dragon alternative to the Saturn V might have been the way to go...

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