SASSTO - SASSTO - Saturn-derived SSTO Launch Vehicle Credit: © Mark Wade. 2,519 bytes. 162 x 412 pixels.

Bono proposal for first step toward VTOVL SSTO vehicle - heavily modified Saturn IVB with plug nozzle engine.

LEO Payload: 2,812 kg. to: 185 km Orbit. at: 28.0 degrees. Liftoff Thrust: 125,647 kgf. Total Mass: 97,887 kg. Core Diameter: 6.7 m. Total Length: 21.0 m. Development Cost $: 1,100.00 million. in 1968 average dollars. Launch Price $: 0.03 million. in 1968 price dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 16.10 million. in 1968 unit dollars. Cost comments: Cost is as calculated by Bono for production run of 50.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x SASSTO Gross Mass: 91,687 kg. Empty Mass: 3,995 kg. Thrust (vac): 125,647 kgf. Isp: 459 sec. Burn time: 300 sec. Isp(sl): 359 sec. Diameter: 6.7 m. Span: 6.7 m. Length: 18.9 m. Propellants: Lox/LH2 No Engines: 1. Plug-Nozzle SASSTO

• 36 - Gatland, Kenneth and Bono, Philip, Frontiers of Space, Macmillan, New York, 1969.

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Plug nozzle test - Plug nozzle test, ca. 1968 Credit: NASA. 13,441 bytes. 220 x 168 pixels.

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SASSTO - SASSTO - Saturn-derived SSTO Cutaway Credit: © Mark Wade. 6,097 bytes. 401 x 418 pixels.

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