KerbalX

A super-realistic replica of NASA’s Saturn MLV

(possibly even the most detailed Saturn MLV-4(S)-A-2 replica ever made).

Saturn MLV-4(S)-A-2 is one of the results of design study conducted at NASA’s Marshal Space Flight Center in July 1965. You can read the resulting report here: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19650020081.pdf

It’s a member of MLV-4(S)-A family, consisting of 2 and 3-stage versions, with 2-stage version recognized by -2 suffix, and 3-stage version by -3.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: lifter
• Part Count: 183
• Pure Stock

The core stage of any MLV vehicle was stretched by 240 or 337 inches and strenghtened, to give the MLV-4(S) the ability to mount additional Solid Rocket Boosters.
The study also called for unification of stages between multiple MLV configurations, so even MLV-1, which didn’t have any additional boosters, used the same, strenghtened core.

The modified first stage was renamed MS-IC (with the M standing for Modified).

There was also an MS-IC-1A which replaced the center F-1 with 2 F-1’s (each offset from the center).

The SRBs were decided to be either 4 UA1205 - the same used on Titan IIIC, or UA1207 - the same as Titan IV’s SRBs).

The engines on the core stage were to be uprated, to produce 7339 kN, and later 8006 kN of thrust each.

The second stage was also stretched and strengthened, but only 41 inches, and redesignated as MS-II (or MS-II-1).

The payload envelope, for the base MLV family was chosen to give the maximum payload capability possible for the vehicle, while still remain within the size limitations of 33 feet in diameter and 410 feet in height, required by the facilities.

Designing to these requirements resulted in non-optimal performance for some of the Saturn MLV configurations.

There was also a different study conducted by Boeing in 1966.
http://www.astronautix.com/data/satvint.pdf