Same concept as Shuttle C. Shuttle orbiter replaced by recoverable pod with shuttle main engines and payload cannister. Quick way for US to obtain heavy payload capability and reduce shuttle cost per kg to orbit by 3 X.

LEO Payload: 77,000 kg. to: 400 km Orbit. at: 28.0 degrees. Liftoff Thrust: 2,069,940 kgf. Total Mass: 1,966,675 kg. Core Diameter: 8.7 m. Total Length: 56.0 m. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 84.97 million. in 1985 unit dollars.

• Stage Number: 0. 2 x Shuttle SRB Gross Mass: 589,670 kg. Empty Mass: 86,183 kg. Thrust (vac): 1,174,713 kgf. Isp: 269 sec. Burn time: 124 sec. Isp(sl): 237 sec. Diameter: 3.7 m. Span: 5.1 m. Length: 38.5 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. SRB

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Shuttle C Gross Mass: 36,360 kg. Empty Mass: 34,380 kg. Thrust (vac): 696,905 kgf. Isp: 313 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 6.3 m. Span: 6.3 m. Length: 21.0 m. Propellants: N2O4/MMH No Engines: 2. OME

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Shuttle Tank Gross Mass: 750,975 kg. Empty Mass: 29,930 kg. Thrust (vac): 0 kgf. Isp: 455 sec. Burn time: 480 sec. Isp(sl): 363 sec. Diameter: 8.7 m. Span: 8.7 m. Length: 46.9 m. Propellants: Lox/LH2 No Engines: 0. None

• 44 - Jenkins, Dennis R,, Space Shuttle: The History of Developing the National Space Transportation System, Motorbooks International, ISBN 0-9633974-4-3, 1996.