NASA NLS II launch vehicle performance comparisons

[MP99]

NASA have a site that allows to compare LV performance for vehicles contracted under NLS II. See:-
http://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/elvMap/staticPages/launch_vehicle_info1.html.

Vehicles listed (some seem to have high apogee variants) are at least:-

Taurus (3110)
Taurus (3210)
Pegasus (Pegasus)
Athena (Athena I)
Athena (Athena II)
Pegasus (Pegasus w/HAPS)
Falcon 9 (Block 1)
Falcon 9 (Block 2)
Atlas V (401)
Atlas V (411)
Atlas V (421)
Atlas V (431)
Atlas V (501)
Atlas V (511)
Atlas V (521)
Atlas V (531)
Atlas V (541)
Atlas V (551)

...with F9 v1.1, and presumably Antares / Taurus II, to follow soon.


Here's the nice bit. Suspect it could settle a few arguments...

Performance Tools

These tools have been updated to reflect the new vehicles and associated performance. While a thorough test process has been implemented to verify the data and functionality, please immediately let us know if there are any issues in using these tools.

Performance Graph Tool  - Plot the performance capabilities for up to 5 launch vehicles for a selected orbit.

Select LEO (inclination) / elliptical (apogee or inclinaton) / high energy (C3 plot). See examples attached.

Performance Query Tool  - Users can query the performance database for performance to specific orbits.

Similar to above, but lets you set a target mass and list the C3 for each vehicle. Or set a C3 target and list the max mass. Or, inclination. Or etc, etc!


For instance:-
http://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/elvMap/elvMap.ui.PerfQuery0?ReqType=Query&ContSource=-5&OrbitType=C3&Contract=2&Vehicles=5&Drop1=C3&Entry1=-1.5

Orbit Class:	High Energy
Graph Type:	C3 (km2/sec2) vs. Mass (kg)
C3 (km2/sec2):	-1.5
Contract:	NLS-II

Athena (Athena II)	390.0
Falcon 9 (Block 1)	2085.0
Atlas V (501)	2180.0
Falcon 9 (Block 2)	2600.0
Atlas V (401)	3130.0
Atlas V (511)	3370.0
Atlas V (411)	4050.0
Atlas V (521)	4315.0
Atlas V (421)	4790.0
Atlas V (531)	5080.0
Atlas V (431)	5385.0
Atlas V (541)	5750.0
Atlas V (551)	6275.0

...or:-
http://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/elvMap/elvMap.ui.PerfQuery0?ReqType=Query&ContSource=-5&OrbitType=LEO&Incl=28&Contract=2&Vehicles=5&Drop1=Apogee&Entry1=400

Orbit Class:	LEO Circular
Inclination (deg):	28.5
Graph Type:	Altitude (km) vs. Mass (kg)
Altitude (km):	400.0
Contract:	NLS-II

Pegasus (Pegasus)	400.0
Athena (Athena I)	665.0
Taurus (3210)	1275.0
Taurus (3110)	1455.0
Athena (Athena II)	1540.0
Atlas V (501)   One Burn Profile:	7430.0
Falcon 9 (Block 1)	8625.0
Atlas V (401)   One Burn Profile:	8855.0
Falcon 9 (Block 2)	9950.0
Atlas V (511)   One Burn Profile:	10220.0
Atlas V (411)   One Burn Profile:	11145.0
Atlas V (521)   One Burn Profile:	12655.0
Atlas V (421)   One Burn Profile:	13025.0
Atlas V (431)   One Burn Profile:	14620.0
Atlas V (531)   One Burn Profile:	14725.0
Atlas V (541)   One Burn Profile:	16575.0
Atlas V (551)   One Burn Profile:	17995.0

cheers, Martin

PS hat tip to joek for the pointer to the site here.

PPS it's possible that some of the listed options are no longer available, eg Polar F9 launches from Kwajalein, though it's noted they're working to update F9 for v1.1.

Edit: URL!

Edit 2: re-phrased PPS. (Can see original phrasing in Jim's response.) Phrasing may have implied a criticism where none was intended.

[Jim]

Here's the nice bit. Suspect it could settle a few arguments...

PPS you do have to wonder about some of the info, though - Polar has F9 launching from Kwajalein??

Only terms of relative differences and not absolutes.  There are margins and reserves added in.

That is because that was on contract.  VAFB was just recently added with V1.1.  It was not an option for Block I.

[Ronsmytheiii]

Interesting that only Atlas 401, 511, and 551 are listed, is NASA limited to these three configurations or can they procure others?

[Jim]

they can buy all

[MP99]

Interesting that only Atlas 401, 511, and 551 are listed, is NASA limited to these three configurations or can they procure others?

Sorry, that was me. The graphs are limited to five vehicles at a time, and I just chose the same five vehicles for each of the graphs.

AFAICT, this is the list of available vehicles (at least those offered for various LEOs):-

Vehicles listed (some seem to have high apogee variants) are at least:-

Taurus (3110)
Taurus (3210)
Pegasus (Pegasus)
Athena (Athena I)
Athena (Athena II)
Pegasus (Pegasus w/HAPS)
Falcon 9 (Block 1)
Falcon 9 (Block 2)
Atlas V (401)
Atlas V (411)
Atlas V (421)
Atlas V (431)
Atlas V (501)
Atlas V (511)
Atlas V (521)
Atlas V (531)
Atlas V (541)
Atlas V (551)

...with F9 v1.1, and presumably Antares / Taurus II, to follow soon.

cheers, Martin

[MP99]

Here's the nice bit. Suspect it could settle a few arguments...

Only terms of relative differences and not absolutes.  There are margins and reserves added in.

All the better if they are realistic mission figures.

PPS you do have to wonder about some of the info, though - Polar has F9 launching from Kwajalein??

That is because that was on contract.  VAFB was just recently added with V1.1.  It was not an option for Block I.

Many thanks - I note that SpaceX were on NLS as far back as 2008, when Kwajalein seemed to be a possible site for F9. I'm a little surprised that was still a favoured option for NLS II, when it was awarded September 2010.

However, it seemed worth noting that the contract still lists SpaceX offering Kwajalein after they've apparently abandoned it. They do make updates (add Delta II, drop F1e, add Pegasus/HAPS), and they note an F9 v1.1 update is coming per your VAFB comment.

Perhaps SpaceX would have activated Kwaj for block II if someone had been prepared to buy it?

Thanks, Martin

[MP99]

As has been noted elsewhere, F9 block 2 has now been dropped, and v1.1 is now live on the site.

cheers, Martin