Saturn V-3

Studied by the Marshall Space Flight Center in 1965, the Saturn V-3 or the MLV 5-3, the booster utilized new engines and new stages that were never used on the original Saturn V. The first stage used new F-1 engines designated F-1A that were pump-fed, had 20% better thrust and a six second improvement in specific impulse on an F-1 first stage stretched 240 inches. The second/third stages used new HG-3 engines developed from the J-2 engines, but were never used, although its technology led to the development of the Space Shuttle's Main Engines (SSME). This booster was one of six Saturn MLV designs that never flew. But if these vehicles had been manufactured in the first place, they would have been perfect for Apollo Applications Program, Manned Orbiting Research Laboratory, Mars fly-by and Mars landing missions in the 1970's and 1980's, instead of the Space Shuttle Program which will run until 2010.

References

* Lowther, Scott, "Saturn: Development, Details, Derivatives and Descendants", Work in progress. Available chapters may be ordered directly from Scott Lowther at web site indicated. Accessed at: http://www.webcreations.com/ptm.
* Saturn V Improvement Study, Final report, NASA Contract NAS8-11359.