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Delta Cryogenic Second Stage

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Delta Cryogenic Second Stage
A 4-meter DCSS from a Delta IV Medium
ManufacturerBoeing IDS
United Launch Alliance
Country of originUnited States
Used onDelta III
Delta IV
SLS Block I
Launch history
StatusActive
Total launches21
Successes
(stage only)
18
11 Delta IV 4m
7 Delta IV 5m
Failed2 (Delta III)
Lower stage
failed
1 (Delta III)
Delta III second stage
Height8.8 meters (29 ft)
Diameter4 meters (13 ft)
Empty mass2,480 kilograms (5,470 lb)
Gross mass19,300 kilograms (42,500 lb)
Powered by1 RL10B-2
Maximum thrust110.1 kilonewtons (24,800 lbf)
Specific impulse462 seconds
Burn time700 seconds
PropellantLH2/LOX
Delta IV 4-meter stage
Height12.2 meters (40 ft)
Diameter4 meters (13 ft)
Empty mass2,850 kilograms (6,280 lb)
Gross mass24,170 kilograms (53,290 lb)
Powered by1 RL10B-2
Maximum thrust110.1 kilonewtons (24,800 lbf)
Specific impulse462 seconds
Burn time850 seconds
PropellantLH2/LOX
Delta IV 5-meter stage
Height13.7 meters (45 ft)
Diameter5 meters (16 ft)
Empty mass3,490 kilograms (7,690 lb)
Gross mass30,710 kilograms (67,700 lb)
Powered by1 RL10B-2
Maximum thrust110.1 kilonewtons (24,800 lbf)
Specific impulse462 seconds
Burn time1125 seconds
PropellantLH2/LOX

The Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) is a family of cryogenic rocket stages used on the Delta III & Delta IV rockets, and which is planned to be used on the Block I Space Launch System. The stage consists of a cylindrical LH2 tank structurally separated from an oblate spheroid LOX tank. The LH2 tank cylinder carries payload launch loads, while the LOX tank and engine are suspended below within the rocket's inter-stage. The stage is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney RL10B-2 engine,[1] which features an extendable carbon-carbon nozzle to improve specific impulse.[2]

Delta III

The first DCSS variant flown was on the Delta III, performing on 2 out of 3 flights. An un-flown example is on display outside the Discovery Cube Orange County.

Delta IV

On the Delta IV, depending on variant, two different versions are flown. Composite interstages used to mate the first and second stages together accommodate the different configurations.[2] For the Delta IV-M, a tapering interstage narrows down in diameter from 5-meters to 4-meters is used on the 4-meter DCSS, while a cylindrical interstage is used on the 5-meter DCSS.[2]

ICPS

The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), a modified DCSS, will be used as a second stage on the debut flight of NASA's Space Launch System,[3] Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), scheduled for December 2019.[4]

References

  1. ^ Robert A. Braeunig (2 November 2009). "Space Launchers—Delta". Rocket and Space Technology (braeunig.us). Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Delta IV Payload Planners Guide" (PDF). United Launch Alliance. September 2007. pp. 1–5 to 1–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011.
  3. ^ Chris Bergin (4 October 2011). "SLS trades lean towards opening with four RS-25s on the core stage". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  4. ^ Clark, Stephen (28 April 2017). "NASA confirms first flight of Space Launch System will slip to 2019". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 April 2017.