The Saturn INT-21 was a study for an American orbital launch vehicle of the 1970s.[1] It was derived from the Saturn V rocket used for the Apollo program, using its first and second stages and capable of placing 115,900 kg (255,500 lb) to LEO, but lacking the third stage.[2] The guidance unit would be moved from the top of the third stage to the top of the second stage. The INT-21 was never flown.

Saturn INT-21
The Saturn INT-21 would have been similar to the Saturn V which launched the Skylab space station, on May 14, 1973
FunctionLaunch vehicle
Manufacturer
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height98.5 m (323 ft) (without payload)
Diameter10.06 m (33.0 ft)
Mass2,916,080 kg (6,428,860 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass115,900 kg (255,500 lb)
Launch history
StatusStudy
Launch sitesLC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Total launches0
First stage - S-IC
Engines5 Rocketdyne F-1
Thrust34.02 MN (7,650,000 lbf)
Burn time150 seconds
PropellantRP-1 / LOX
Second stage S-II
Engines5 Rocketdyne J-2
Thrust5 MN (1,100,000 lbf)
Burn time360 seconds
PropellantLH2 / LOX

A related variant was launched once, from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida carrying the Skylab space station into orbit, at 17:30 UTC, on May 14, 1973.[3][4][5] As Skylab was built from an S-IVB stage, there was no need to move the guidance unit. This version was intended to be used for other flights in the Apollo Applications Program, and would have also been used to launch other American space stations,[5] including Skylab B.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Johnson, Kurt P.; Holl, Richard J. (June 1970). "Nuclear Shuttle for Interorbital and Transplanetary Applications". Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 8 (6): 600–606. Bibcode:1971JSpRo...8..600J. doi:10.2514/3.59699. ISSN 0022-4650.
  2. ^ Wade, Mark (2019). "Saturn INT-21". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Young, Anthony (February 19, 2019). The Saturn V F-1 Engine: Powering Apollo into History. Springer. p. 245. ISBN 978-0-387-09630-8.
  4. ^ Rumerman, Judy (August 27, 2009). "Spaceflight :Skylab". Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from the original on August 27, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Space station MSFC-DPD-235/DR no. CM-02 specification, space station project (modular) (Technical report). McDonnell Douglas & NASA. December 10, 1971. 19720008134. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024 – via NASA Technical Reports Server.