Titan
IV B Launch Vehicle
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Heavy-lift space launch vehicle
Date
deployed: June 1989
Contractor:
Lockheed-Martin Astronautics
Unit cost:
$250-350 million, depending on launch config.
Diameter:
unavailable
Wingspan:
none
Height:
204' - 0"
Thrust at
Liftoff: 1,700,000 lbs ( provided by solid
rocket motors)
Thrust by
stage: First stage provides an average of
548,000 pounds; second stage provides an average of
105,000 pounds. Optional Centaur upper stage
provides 33,100 pounds and the inertial upper stage
provides up to 41,500 pounds.
Weight - max
take-off: 2,200,000 lbs (997,913 kg)
Lift
Capability: Can carry up to 47,800 pounds
(21,682 kilograms) into a low-earth orbit up to
12,700 pounds (5,761 kilograms) into a
geosynchronous orbit when launched from Cape
Canaveral AFS, FL.; and up to 38,800 pounds (17,599
kilograms) into a low-earth polar orbit when
launched from Vandenberg AFB. Using an inertial
upper stage, the Titan IV B can transport up to
5,250 pounds (2,381 kilograms) into geosynchronous
orbit.
Payloads:
unavailable
Guidance
System: Ring laser gyro guidance system
manufactured by Honeywell.
Engines:
Stage 0
currently consists of two solid-rocket motors; Stage
1 uses an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket engine; and
Stage 2 uses the LR91 liquid-propellant engine.
Optional upper stages include the Centaur and
inertial upper stage.
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Mission:
The Titan IVB is a heavy-lift space launch vehicle used to
carry government payloads such as Defense Support Program,
Milstar and National Reconnaissance Office satellites into
space. It is launched from Patrick Air Force Base, FL., and
Vandenberg AFB, CA.
Features: The Titan IVB is the most recent and
largest unmanned space booster used by the Air Force. It
provides assured capability for launch of space
shuttle-class payloads. The vehicle is flexible in that it
can be launched with no upper stage, or one of two optional
upper stages for greater and varied carrying ability.
The Titan IVB consists of
a liquid-fueled core and two large solid rocket boosters. It
is launched on the solids; the liquid core ignites about 2
minutes into flight.
The Titan IVB core
consists of an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket that features
structurally independent tanks for its fuel (Aerozine 50)
and oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide). This minimizes the hazard
of the two mixing if a leak should develop in either tank.
Additionally the engine propellant can be stored in a
launch-ready state for extended periods. The use of
propellants stored at normal temperature and pressure
eliminates delays and gives the Titan IVB the capability to
meet critical launch windows. The second stage consists of
an LR91 liquid propellant rocket engine attached to an
airframe, like stage 1. For increased performance Titan IVB
also uses two solid propellant strap-on boosters.
The Titan IVB consists of
a liquid-fueled core and two large solid rocket boosters. It
is launched on the solids; the liquid core ignites about 2
minutes into flight.
The Titan IVB core
consists of an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket that features
structurally independent tanks for its fuel (Aerozine 50)
and oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide). This minimizes the hazard
of the two mixing if a leak should develop in either tank.
Additionally the engine propellant can be stored in a
launch-ready state for extended periods. The use of
propellants stored at normal temperature and pressure
eliminates delays and gives the Titan IVB the capability to
meet critical launch windows. The second stage consists of
an LR91 liquid propellant rocket engine attached to an
airframe, like stage 1. For increased performance Titan IVB
also uses two solid propellant strap-on boosters.
Background: The Titan family was established in
October 1955 when the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (the
former Martin Company) a contract to build a heavy-duty
space system. It became known as the Titan I, the nation's
first two-stage, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
and first underground silo-based ICBM. Titan I provided many
structural and propulsion techniques that were later
incorporated into the Titan II. Years later, the Titan IVB
evolved from the Titan III family and is similar to the
Titan 34D. The last Titan IVA was launched in August 1998.
The first Titan IVB flew on Feb. 23, 1997. The Titan IVB is
an upgraded rocket having a new guidance system, flight
termination system, ground checkout system, solid rocket
motor upgrade and a 25 percent increase in thrust
capability.
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