General Dynamics Astronautics Large Launch Vehicle proposal

[Michel Van]

I found this on SDASM Archives at Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/23270478173/in/dateposted/
from the Convair/General Dynamics Astronautics Atlas Negative Collection
It show a Atlas and Helios launch vehicle from CD/Convair

Next to that are 

Vulcan I and II (reusable) the third show additional engine on top (later more on that)
Phoenix
Helios (mega version of Atlas with nuclear engine)
Colossus (nova class heavy lift rocket)

What about those engines on top ?
i know that Helios is Nuclear power, i guess that second stage enter orbit,
with a full hydrogen tank with Nerva engine. (see Colossus on right)
follow by second launch with Payload

i don't know if second stage jettison the lower part (LOX tank & engine) 
or used as shadow shield for Nerva Engine
 
Got someone more information on those rockets ?

[Michel Van]

San Diego Air & Space Museum is uploading there ENTIRE Photo library on Flickr

here General Dynamics Launch Vehicle
Kraft. Ehricke Design Helios 2 Space Ship, Date: 03/09/1959

[Michel Van]

New Pictures

First
Show launcher for EMPIRE proposal by GD
next the Saturn V is also Saturn V-R (labeled as Saturn-VM)
A proposal by GD to make the Saturn V reusable with Technology principle of the NEXUS launcher far right on picture.

second
picture show the Saturn V-R

Third
The NOVA proposals from may 1963
Class I means existing Engines like F-1 or M-1* or J-2
Class II means Development of new BIGGER rocket engines as one used on Class I.

* M-1 was under development in 1963, but got cancel in 1966

source:

San Diego Air & Space Museum

[mike robel]

Very Cool.

[Blackstar]

There's a discussion of the M-1 engine here:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39413.0

I wrote an article for Spaceflight magazine on the M-1. I cannot remember if I also ran that in The Space Review. I'll have to look.

[Michel Van]

I found this Picture of rocket Models and Mockups

next to Apollo Capsule proposals and Model of Satellite and Space station
there allot Atlas Version and for me a unknown Rocket

on first picture it lies in center before large white cylinder (Apollo direct landing)
on Second picture it stands next to Satellite in Payload faring behind Helios rocket.

Now this look like Soviet Proton rocket but SDASM labels those Photos as:
Space Science Lab; Armstrong Models; Date: 06/20/1963
so far i know is Armstrong a model maker working at GD during 1960s

I found Another Picture with GD Launch rocket that look like Proton rocket   
SDASM labels third Photos as:
Solid Prop. Nuclear Rocket; Booster in Flight Date: 05/24/1962

seems General Dynamic had a Analog to Soviet Proton rocket
got some one more information about this Rocket ?

Source
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/30573426993/in/album-72157649485000247/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/31236828312/in/album-72157649485000247/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/30803821026/in/album-72157649485000247/

[edkyle99]

I found Another Picture with GD Launch rocket that look like Proton rocket   
SDASM labels third Photos as:
Solid Prop. Nuclear Rocket; Booster in Flight Date: 05/24/1962

seems General Dynamic had a Analog to Soviet Proton rocket
got some one more information about this Rocket ?

Here's another view of the same rocket, showing separation of the solid booster section.
The image is titled "Solid Prop. Nuclear Rocket; Separation from Booster Date: 05/24/1962 "

 - Ed Kyle

[Michel Van]

Here's another view of the same rocket, showing separation of the solid booster section.
The image is titled "Solid Prop. Nuclear Rocket; Separation from Booster Date: 05/24/1962 "

 - Ed Kyle

I wonder if that is A variant of a Nova rocket ?
GD made several studies in that time period and some had solid cluster as first stage

found another weird Atlas variants

Guess those are alternative version of Atlas   
Both are given date are 07/10/1957 (Triple one is to see as Model in upper post)




Atlas uprated proposal (note use of FLOX30) date 07/11/1957


Atlas with Upper stages date are 07/10/1957

Note this one use Ammonia/Fluorine engines


Atlas with Upper NUCLEAR stage proposal date 07/11/1957