For All Mankind Wiki

Hi Bob! Find your place in the universe and leave your legacy. Join Helios today as your destiny awaits.

READ MORE

For All Mankind Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
For All Mankind Wiki
For All Mankind Wiki
751
pages
in: Spacecraft, Rockets, Launch vehicles,
and 2 more
Flag of the United States of America
NASA vehicle
1977
Season 2 vehicle
Season 3 vehicle

Changes: Sea Dragon

Back to page
Edit
No edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
(use BVref)
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{Spacecraft
⚫
[[File:Sea Dragon.png|thumb|250px|Sea Dragon's first launch]]
  
  +
| title = Sea Dragon
−
[[File:Sea-Dragon-Pathfinder-Moon.png|thumb|Sea Dragon arriving at the moon with Pathfinder.]]
  
  +
| image = FAM 110 75.45 Sea Dragon 16.png
⚫
'''Sea Dragon''' is a two-staged sea-launched super-heavy rocket built by [[NASA]] and first launched from the South Pacific Ocean on its [[Sea Dragon 1|maiden flight]], in 1977. The rocket was used on a mission to resupply and expand [[Jamestown]] with components for a plutonium fueled nuclear power-source, in an effort to cut the costs of living, on the moon.
 
  +
| caption = Launch of Sea Dragon 16, 1983
  +
| alias =
  +
| operator = {{nasa}}
  +
| type = Super heavy-lift<br>[[launch vehicle]]
  +
| function =
  +
| rocket =
  +
| launchsite = South Pacific ocean
  +
| propulsion = Chemical
  +
| dimensions = Height: 150 m<br>Diameter: 23 m<br>Mass: 18'143 t<br><ref group="note" name="rl"/> <ref group="note" name="height"/>
  +
| components = 2 stages
  +
| crew = Uncrewed
  +
| passengers =
  +
| payload = To [[LEO]]: 550'000 kg<br>To [[TLI]]: 450'000+ kg<br><ref group="note" name="rl"/>
  +
| firstused = 1977
  +
| missions =
  +
| retired =
  +
| img2header = Sea Dragon Patch
  +
| image2 = Sea Dragon Mission Patch.png
  +
| caption2 =
  +
| psi = s2,s3,1977,flag-us,nasa
  +
| cat1 = Rockets
  +
| cat2 = Launch vehicles
  ⚫
| cat3 = Space technology
  +
| cat4 = NASA
  +
}}
  ⚫
The '''Sea Dragon''' is a two-staged sea-launched super heavy-lift [[launch vehicle]] built by [[NASA]] and first launched from the South Pacific ocean on its [[Sea Dragon 1|maiden flight]] in [[1977]].<ref name="s2-bonus-1977"/>
   
  +
==General information==
−
At 150 m (490 ft) long and 23 m (75 ft) in diameter, Sea Dragon was the largest rocket ever built, and could carry 550 metric tons of payload into orbit. It was also large enough to fit almost all of the Saturn V into its first stage. The Sea Dragon appears to have a crew capsule on the top; this has never been used and no crew have ever been launched on the vehicle.
+
At 150 m (490 ft) long <ref group="note" name="height"/> and 23 m (75 ft) in diameter, Sea Dragon is the largest rocket ever built and can carry 550 metric tons of payload into {{wpl|low Earth orbit}}. It is also large enough to fit almost all of the [[Saturn V]] into its first stage. The Sea Dragon appears to have a crew capsule on the top, however, this has never been used and no crew have ever been launched on the vehicle.
   
  +
Four Sea Dragons have been built by [[1995]], with 3 of them still in use. The first one was destroyed in [[1983]].
⚫
During a standoff with [[Buran]], [[Ed Baldwin]] launched missiles toward [[Sea Dragon 17 |Sea Dragon]] to prevent further escalation. [[NASA]] covered it up as a malfunction and further Sea Dragon production was halted as a result.
  
  +
  +
==History==
  +
Sea Dragon's first mission in 1977 was used to supply the lunar [[Jamestown]] base with hundreds of tons of building materials, fuel, and equipment.<ref name="s2-bonus-1977"/>
  +
  +
On [[Sea Dragon 16|mission 16]] in 1983, components for a plutonium fueled nuclear power-source were delivered, in an effort to cut the costs of living on the [[Moon]].<ref>{{TVref|2|6}}</ref>
  +
  ⚫
In fall 1983, during a standoff with the [[Soviet]] shuttle [[Buran]], [[Ed Baldwin]] launched missiles toward [[Sea Dragon 17]] to prevent further escalation. NASA covered it up as a malfunction and further Sea Dragon production was halted until further investigation as a result.<ref>{{TVref|2|10}}</ref> Production and missions have been continued at some later date.
  +
  +
In the 90s, the Sea Dragon was used to ship ''[[Sojourner 1]]'' components to the Moon, which were then [[Jamestown Rocket Testing Site|tested]] and assembled at NASA's facilities around the Jamestown base. New Jamestown modules were planned to be shipped there in September [[1992]].<ref name=":303">{{TVref|3|3}}</ref> In 1995, components for ''Sojourner 2'' were delivered to the Moon.<ref name="msb-4"/>
  +
  +
== Sea Dragon missions ==
  +
{| class="article-table"
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2" | Mission / Designator || Vehicle || ID || Mission || Date
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| [[Sea Dragon 1]] || SD-1 || || ||Jamestown supply run<br>{{s|Building supplies, fuel, equipment}} || 1977
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| [[Sea Dragon 16]] || SD-16 || || ||Jamestown supply run<br>{{s|Nuclear fuel &amp; 2nd reactor}} || August 1983
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| [[Sea Dragon 17]] || SD-17 || || ||Jamestown supply run || Sept. 1983
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| Sea Dragon 38 <ref name="msb-2"/> || SD-38 || Sea Dragon 2 || LV-2 || Supply run || August 1992
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| Sea Dragon 39 <ref name="msb-1"/> || SD-39 || Sea Dragon 3 || LV-3 || Supply run || August 1992
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| || || || || New Jamestown modules || September 1992<br>{{s|planned}} <ref name=":303"/>
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| Sea Dragon 46 <ref name="msb-4"/> || SD-46 || Sea Dragon 4 || LV-4 || ''Sojourner-2'' components || March 1995
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| Sea Dragon 47 || SD-47 || Sea Dragon 4<ref name="msb-3"/> <br>Sea Dragon 3<ref name="msb-5"/> || LV-4B<br>LV-3 || DOD {{s|classified}}<br>Supply run || Mid 1995 <ref group="note" name="sd47"/>
  +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
  +
| Sea Dragon 48 <ref name="msb-3"/> || SD-48 || Sea Dragon 3 || LV-3 || Jamestown logistics || Mid 1995
  +
|}
  +
  +
==Galleries==
  +
===Sea Dragon 1===
  +
<gallery captionalign=center>
  +
FAM Bonus 1975-1982 05.10 Sea Dragon launch.png|First launch of a Sea Dragon, 1977
  +
FAM Bonus 1975-1982 05.12 Sea Dragon launch.png
  +
FAM Bonus 1975-1982 05.16 Sea Dragon launch.png
  +
FAM Bonus 1975-1982 05.00 Andrea Walters Sea Dragon launch.png|Sea Dragon 1 launch on TV
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===Sea Dragon 16===
  +
<gallery captionalign=center>
  ⚫
FAM 110 75.04 Sea Dragon 16.png|Sea Dragon 16 launch seen on TV
  +
FAM 110 75.20 Sea Dragon 16.png|Sea Dragon 16 launch from South Pacific
  +
FAM 110 75.29 Sea Dragon 16.png
  +
FAM 110 75.45 Sea Dragon 16.png
  +
FAM 110 75.46 Sea Dragon 16.png
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===Sea Dragon 17===
  +
<gallery captionalign=center>
  +
FAM 209 27.32 Sea Dragon launch control.png|Sea Dragon 17 launch control
  +
FAM 209 27.45 Sea Dragon launch.png|Sea Dragon 17 launches
  +
FAM 209 27.50 Sea Dragon launch.png
  +
FAM 209 27.53 Sea Dragon launch.png
  +
FAM 209 27.59 Sea Dragon launched.png
  +
FAM 210 03.30 Pathfinder + Sea Dragon Earth.png|Sea Dragon &amp; Pathfinder depart from Earth orbit
  +
FAM 210 03.39 Pathfinder + Sea Dragon Moon.png|Sea Dragon &amp; Pathfinder approaching Moon
  +
FAM 210 11.23 Sea Dragon Pathfinder breaking burn to lunar orbit.png|Breaking burn into lunar orbit
  +
FAM 210 11.29 Sea Dragon Pathfinder in lunar orbit.png|Sea Dragon &amp; Pathfinder in lunar orbit
  +
FAM 210 60.52 Pathfinder missile radar.png|Pathfinder missile radar
  +
FAM 210 61.05 Sea Dragon explodes.png|Sea Dragon explodes
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===Comparisons===
  +
<gallery captionalign=center>
  +
FAM Bonus 1975-1982 05.41 News - Sea Dragon comparison closeup.png|Comparison shown in TV news <ref group="note" name="height"/>
  +
Sea Dragon Saturn V comparison.png|Sea Dragon vs. Saturn V
  +
Sea Dragon VAB comparison.jpg|Sea Dragon vs. NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building
  +
Sea Dragon principle.jpg|Sea Dragon principle
  +
Launch vehicles comparison.png|Comparison of several real-life launch vehicles and Sea Dragon
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==Notes==
  +
<references group="note">
  +
<ref name="rl">Technical data from the real world concept.</ref>
  +
<ref name="height">There is a problem between what is said and what is shown in the Apple+ bonus video. In the newscast, they show a graphic saying the height is 545 ft (166 m), while at the same time the news anchor tells it's 490 ft.<br>490 ft (150 m) is what the real-life concept of the Sea Dragon was.</ref>
  +
<ref name="sd47">There is a discrepancy with this mission. The mission status boards seen in the episodes {{SeasonEp|306|s|l}} and {{SeasonEp|307|s|l}} tell different things about the mission and the vehicle used for SD-47.</ref>
  +
</references>
   
 
==Trivia==
  
==Trivia==
 
*The Sea Dragon was designed in 1962 by Robert Truax to serve as a low-cost heavy launcher, commonly known as a "big dumb booster". NASA and Todd Shipyards started showing interest in this project.
  
*The Sea Dragon was designed in 1962 by Robert Truax to serve as a low-cost heavy launcher, commonly known as a "big dumb booster". NASA and Todd Shipyards started showing interest in this project.
 
*To keep costs low, Sea Dragon was designed to be built from inexpensive sheet steel, launched from the ocean to reduce launch infrastructure, and operate using simple, reliable engineering principles.
  
*To keep costs low, Sea Dragon was designed to be built from inexpensive sheet steel, launched from the ocean to reduce launch infrastructure, and operate using simple, reliable engineering principles.
−
*The rocket was to be built at a sea-side shipbuilder and towed to sea for launch.
  
 
*The rocket was partially reusable, as the first stage engine could be recovered after each flight.
  
*The rocket was partially reusable, as the first stage engine could be recovered after each flight.
−
*It was first launched in 1977, carrying parts of the Jamestown lunar base to begin expansion.
  
 
*It was to be fueled using hydrogen produced from the surrounding sea water via electrolysis generated from the nuclear reactor of a nearby aircraft carrier. (Hence the "Carrier task force" Ed mentions in 1983). While RP1 is loaded from the seaside.
  
*It was to be fueled using hydrogen produced from the surrounding sea water via electrolysis generated from the nuclear reactor of a nearby aircraft carrier. (Hence the "Carrier task force" Ed mentions in 1983). While RP1 is loaded from the seaside.
 
*It remains the largest rocket ever launched.
  
*It remains the largest rocket ever launched.
  ⚫
*Sea Dragon is built in a shipping yard and then shipped through the Panama Canal. It takes 4.7 weeks for the rocket to be transported to the area it is refueled (sometimes it would be refueled at the launch site), then another week to get to its launch destination. Sometimes, the rocket would be put at the launch site and the cargo would be put in. They were able to do this because they just adjusted the buoyancy tanks and that would allow the rocket to come out of the water more so they would then remove the fairings and put the payload in and then put the fairings back on and Sea Dragon would be ready for launch.
−
*As of 1983, there have been 17 Sea Dragon launches.
  
  +
*There have been over 30 Sea Dragon missions since Sea Dragon 17 in 1983, with the most recent known mission being Sea Dragon 48 in mid 1995.
−
*The Sea Dragon rocket has 42,000,000 pounds of thrust as for the Saturn V has 9.5 million pounds of thrust.
  
  +
⚫
*Sea Dragon is built in a shipping yard and then is shipped through the Panama Canal and it takes 4.7 weeks for the rocket to be transported to the area. It is refueled ¨sometimes it would be refueled at the launch site" then another week to get to its launch destination. Sometimes, the rocket would be put at the launch site and the cargo would be put in. They were able to do this because they just adjusted the buoyancy tanks and that would allow the rocket to come out of the water more so they would then remove the fairings and put the payload in and then put the fairings back on and Sea Dragon would be ready for launch.
  
  +
==See also==
  +
* [[Launch vehicle]]
  +
* [[Saturn V]]
  +
* [[Saturn IB]]
  +
* [[Titan III]]
  +
  +
==External links==
  +
* {{wplink|Sea Dragon (rocket)|Sea Dragon}}
  +
* {{Youtube link|SRMDcC0QvFQ|Sea Dragon launch}} {{s|1x10 post credit scene}}
  +
* {{Youtube link|ivUe7BVBg80|Sea Dragon - KSP Cinematic|uploader=Matthew Cable}} {{s|1x10 post credit scene done in KSP}}
  +
* {{Youtube link|4Aco5ckCni4|The Largest Rocket Never Launched|uploader=Primal Space}}
   
  +
==References==
−
[[Category:Rockets]]
  
  +
<references>
⚫
[[Category:Space technology]]
  
  +
<ref name="s2-bonus-1977">{{BVref|1977}}</ref>
  +
<ref name="msb-1">{{TVref|3|2|Mission status board @ 07:47|short=1}} &rarr; [[:File:FAM 302 07.47 Mission board (+11.21).png|Screenshot]]</ref>
  +
<ref name="msb-2">{{TVref|3|2|Mission status board @ 57:45|short=1}} &rarr; [[:File:FAM 302 57.45 Mission status board.png|Screenshot]]</ref>
  +
<ref name="msb-3">{{TVref|3|6|Mission status board @ 44:25|short=1}} &rarr; [[:File:FAM 306 44.25 Mission status board.png|Screenshot]]</ref>
  +
<ref name="msb-4">{{TVref|3|7|Mission status board @ 43:00|short=1}} &rarr; [[:File:FAM 307 43.00 Mission status board.png|Screenshot]]</ref>
  +
<ref name="msb-5">{{TVref|3|7|Mission status board @ 43:03|short=1}} &rarr; [[:File:FAM 307 43.03 Mission status board.png|Screenshot]]</ref>
  +
</references>

Latest revision as of 07:55, 27 December 2023

The Sea Dragon is a two-staged sea-launched super heavy-lift launch vehicle built by NASA and first launched from the South Pacific ocean on its maiden flight in 1977.[1]

General information[]

At 150 m (490 ft) long [note 2] and 23 m (75 ft) in diameter, Sea Dragon is the largest rocket ever built and can carry 550 metric tons of payload into low Earth orbitW. It is also large enough to fit almost all of the Saturn V into its first stage. The Sea Dragon appears to have a crew capsule on the top, however, this has never been used and no crew have ever been launched on the vehicle.

Four Sea Dragons have been built by 1995, with 3 of them still in use. The first one was destroyed in 1983.

History[]

Sea Dragon's first mission in 1977 was used to supply the lunar Jamestown base with hundreds of tons of building materials, fuel, and equipment.[1]

On mission 16 in 1983, components for a plutonium fueled nuclear power-source were delivered, in an effort to cut the costs of living on the Moon.[2]

In fall 1983, during a standoff with the Soviet shuttle Buran, Ed Baldwin launched missiles toward Sea Dragon 17 to prevent further escalation. NASA covered it up as a malfunction and further Sea Dragon production was halted until further investigation as a result.[3] Production and missions have been continued at some later date.

In the 90s, the Sea Dragon was used to ship Sojourner 1 components to the Moon, which were then tested and assembled at NASA's facilities around the Jamestown base. New Jamestown modules were planned to be shipped there in September 1992.[4] In 1995, components for Sojourner 2 were delivered to the Moon.[5]

Sea Dragon missions[]

Mission / Designator Vehicle ID Mission Date
Sea Dragon 1 SD-1 Jamestown supply run
(Building supplies, fuel, equipment)		 1977
Sea Dragon 16 SD-16 Jamestown supply run
(Nuclear fuel & 2nd reactor)		 August 1983
Sea Dragon 17 SD-17 Jamestown supply run Sept. 1983
Sea Dragon 38 [6] SD-38 Sea Dragon 2 LV-2 Supply run August 1992
Sea Dragon 39 [7] SD-39 Sea Dragon 3 LV-3 Supply run August 1992
New Jamestown modules September 1992
(planned) [4]
Sea Dragon 46 [5] SD-46 Sea Dragon 4 LV-4 Sojourner-2 components March 1995
Sea Dragon 47 SD-47 Sea Dragon 4[8]
Sea Dragon 3[9]		 LV-4B
LV-3		 DOD (classified)
Supply run		 Mid 1995 [note 3]
Sea Dragon 48 [8] SD-48 Sea Dragon 3 LV-3 Jamestown logistics Mid 1995

Galleries[]

Sea Dragon 1[]

Sea Dragon 16[]

Sea Dragon 17[]

Comparisons[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Technical data from the real world concept.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 There is a problem between what is said and what is shown in the Apple+ bonus video. In the newscast, they show a graphic saying the height is 545 ft (166 m), while at the same time the news anchor tells it's 490 ft.
    490 ft (150 m) is what the real-life concept of the Sea Dragon was.
  3. ↑ There is a discrepancy with this mission. The mission status boards seen in the episodes 3x06 and 3x07 tell different things about the mission and the vehicle used for SD-47.

Trivia[]

  • The Sea Dragon was designed in 1962 by Robert Truax to serve as a low-cost heavy launcher, commonly known as a "big dumb booster". NASA and Todd Shipyards started showing interest in this project.
  • To keep costs low, Sea Dragon was designed to be built from inexpensive sheet steel, launched from the ocean to reduce launch infrastructure, and operate using simple, reliable engineering principles.
  • The rocket was partially reusable, as the first stage engine could be recovered after each flight.
  • It was to be fueled using hydrogen produced from the surrounding sea water via electrolysis generated from the nuclear reactor of a nearby aircraft carrier. (Hence the "Carrier task force" Ed mentions in 1983). While RP1 is loaded from the seaside.
  • It remains the largest rocket ever launched.
  • Sea Dragon is built in a shipping yard and then shipped through the Panama Canal. It takes 4.7 weeks for the rocket to be transported to the area it is refueled (sometimes it would be refueled at the launch site), then another week to get to its launch destination. Sometimes, the rocket would be put at the launch site and the cargo would be put in. They were able to do this because they just adjusted the buoyancy tanks and that would allow the rocket to come out of the water more so they would then remove the fairings and put the payload in and then put the fairings back on and Sea Dragon would be ready for launch.
  • There have been over 30 Sea Dragon missions since Sea Dragon 17 in 1983, with the most recent known mission being Sea Dragon 48 in mid 1995.

See also[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bonus Video: One Giant Leap: 1975-1982 - Sea Dragon Launch (1977)
  2. ↑ For All Mankind TV Series - Season 2, Episode 6: "Best Laid Plans"
  3. ↑ For All Mankind TV Series - Season 2, Episode 10: "The Grey"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 For All Mankind TV Series - Season 3, Episode 3: "All In"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Season 3, Episode 7: "Bring It Down" (Mission status board @ 43:00) → Screenshot
  6. ↑ Season 3, Episode 2: "Game Changer" (Mission status board @ 57:45) → Screenshot
  7. ↑ Season 3, Episode 2: "Game Changer" (Mission status board @ 07:47) → Screenshot
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Season 3, Episode 6: "New Eden" (Mission status board @ 44:25) → Screenshot
  9. ↑ Season 3, Episode 7: "Bring It Down" (Mission status board @ 43:03) → Screenshot
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.