&sq=&lang=&file=File:SeaDragonRocketv2.gif) Sea Dragon internal and external views. Both show the ballast tank attached to the first-stage engine bell. An Apollo CSM-like spacecraft is mounted on top. | |
| Function | Orbital super heavy-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Diameter | 23 m (75 ft) |
| Mass | 18,143 t (39,998,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Altitude | 229 km (124 nmi) |
| Mass | 550 t (1,210,000 lb) |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 1 |
| Maximum thrust | 350 MN (79,000,000 lbf) sea level |
| Burn time | 81 seconds |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 |
| Maximum thrust | 59 MN (13,000,000 lbf) vacuum |
| Burn time | 260 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
The Sea Dragon was a 1962 conceptualized design study for a two-stage sea-launched orbital super heavy-lift launch vehicle. The project was led by Robert Truax while working at Aerojet, one of a number of designs he created that were to be launched by floating the rocket in the ocean. Although there was some interest at both NASA and Todd Shipyards, the project was not implemented.
With dimensions of 150 m (490 ft) long and 23 m (75 ft) in diameter, Sea Dragon would have been the largest rocket ever built. As of 2024[update], among rockets that have been fully conceived but not built, it is by far the largest ever and, in terms of payload into low Earth orbit (LEO), equaled only by the Interplanetary Transport System concept (the predecessor to SpaceX Starship) in the latter's expendable configuration with both designed for 550 tonnes.