Shuttle-Derived HLV Cargo (Scale 1:400)

The HLV is proposed to be a 4,600,000 pounds (2,100,000 kg) vehicle at liftoff with two 4-segment Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters weighing about 2,600,000 pounds (1,200,000 kg) providing a total thrust of 5,900,000 pounds-force (26 MN) at sea level, with the currently used Space Shuttle External Tank weighing about 1,660,000 pounds (750,000 kg) in a fueled stage and a propulsion and payload carrier side-mounted to the vehicle. This side-mounted carrier includes a boattail carrying the propulsion elements which include 3 Space Shuttle Main Engines weighing about 57,000 pounds (26,000 kg) in total and the 7.5 metres (25 ft) diameter payload carrier with a separable fairing weighing 51,000 pounds (23,000 kg). The basic vehicle does not require an upper stage. Orbit circularization for missions to lower Earth orbit or trans-lunar injection burns for missions to the Moon or other destinations outside of Earth orbit are provided by the payload which detaches from the HLV after the main ET fuel is depleted.