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Old 9th Sep 2005, 13:39
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FlyingConsultant
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Some googling later...

The supplementary fins are probably for additional stabilization as the vortex/coverage from the Shuttle will significantly influence the flow around the vertical stabilizer (guess based on memory of aerodynamics classes way back when)

from http://www.astronautix.com/stages/nasa747.htm

Note speed and range


SCA Descriptions

Dimensions

Wingspan: 195 ft. 8 in.

Length: 231 ft. 10 in.

Height: Top of vertical stabilizer, 63 ft. 5 in.; To top of cockpit area, 32 ft. 1 in.

Weight: Basic weight, NASA 905, 318,053 lbs- NASA 911, 323,034 lbs; Maximum gross taxi weight, 713,000 lbs; maximum gross brake release weight, 710,000 lbs; maximum gross landing weight, 600,000 lbs

Engines

Four Pratt and Whitney JT9D-7J gas turbine engines, each producing 50,000 lbs of thrust

Performance

Airspeed limits with, and without an orbiter: 250 knots or Mach 0.6

Altitude: Typical cruise with orbiter, 13,000-15,000 ft MSL; typical cruise unmated, 24,000-26,000 ft MSL. Minimum temperature at altitude 15 degrees (F) (-9 degrees C) or 8 psi ambient pressure

Range : Typical mated, 1000 nautical miles (with reserves); maximum unmated, 5500 nautical miles

Fuel Capacity

47,210 gallons (316,307 lbs) jet fuel
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