/sci/ - Science & Math

>>15052135
>>15052125
>Mfw only have a Mac
>Mfw I can’t play KSP2
I’m coping with my RSS/RO install in KSP 1 but still

By the late 90’s, the United States had fallen behind in the commercial launch market. Europe, China, and Russia all dominated what was once America’s playing field.
To make matters worse, American launchers had not only become too diverse (Atlas, Prometheus, and Delta all required independent production lines), but they had also become too big. The Prometheus III could but 23 tons into LEO, but small commercial satellites just couldn’t fly on such a large beast.

The answer was the Prometheus IV family. The twin H-1 engines which powered the III variants were replaced with a single E-1 engine. Prometheus IV was designed to become the “Swiss army knife” of launchers.

Also notable are the solid rocket motors. The family could hold up to six GEM 46 motors in addition to a pair of liquid cores. When flying with all six motors, four were lit on the ground, and two in midair.

>Prometheus IV Light
Used a single common booster core. The upper stage was a small Agena, which was hung inside the 3 meter fairing with an adapter.

>Prometheus IV Medium
Also used a single core. The second stage was replaced by a single engine Centaur. In this case, the fairing sat on top of the Centaur. Due to aerodynamic issues, a maximum of 2 solid motors could be used.

>Prometheus IV Medium+
It also used a single engine centaur on top of a single core stage. However, the fairing surrounded the entire Centaur. This allowed the vehicle to use up to six solid motors.

>Prometheus Heavy/Short
Used a trio of cores topped by a large cryogenic upper stage. Used for crew transfer to the ISS, as well as medium sized cargo to LEO.

>Prometheus IV Heavy/Medium
Stretched the upper stage slightly. Used to launch heavy cargo resupply vessels as well as big payloads to LEO.

>Prometheus IV/Heavy Long
The ultimate evolution of the Prometheus. Extended the second stage to its maximum. With six solid motors, it could place 30 tons into LEO.