Titan 23G

The Titan 23G, Titan II(23)G, Titan 2(23)G or Titan II SLV was an American expendable launch system derived from the LGM-25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile. Retired Titan II missiles were converted by Martin Marietta, into which the Glenn L. Martin Company, which built the original Titan II, had merged. It was used to carry payloads for the United States Air Force (USAF), NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Thirteen were launched from Space Launch Complex 4W (SLC-4W) at the Vandenberg Air Force Base between 1988 and 2003.[1]

Titan 23G
The first Titan 23G prior to launch
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerMartin Marietta / Lockheed Martin
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height31.4 m (103 ft)
Diameter3.05 m (10.0 ft)
Mass117,020 kg (257,980 lb)
StagesTwo or Three
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass3,600 kg (7,900 lb)
Payload to Polar LEO
Mass2,177 kg (4,799 lb)
Payload to HCO
Mass227 kg (500 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyTitan
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesVandenberg, SLC-4W
Total launches13
Success(es)12
Failure(s)1
First flight5 September 1988
Last flight18 October 2003
Notable payloadsClementine
First stage
EnginesLR-87 (one engine with two combustion chambers)
Thrust1,900 kN (430,000 lbf)
Specific impulse258 seconds
Burn time156 seconds
FuelN2O4 / Aerozine 50
Second stage
Engines1 LR-91
Thrust445 kN (100,000 lbf)
Specific impulse316 seconds
Burn time180 seconds
FuelN2O4 / Aerozine 50
Third stage (Optional) – Star-37XFP-ISS
Engines1 Solid
Thrust38.03 kN (8,550 lbf)
Specific impulse290 seconds
Burn time67 seconds
FuelSolid
Third stage (Optional) – Star-37S
Engines1 Solid
Specific impulse287 seconds
FuelSolid

Titan 23G rockets consisted of two stages burning liquid propellant. The first stage was powered by one Aerojet LR87 engine with two combustion chambers and nozzles, and the second stage was propelled by an LR91. On some flights, the spacecraft included a kick motor, usually the Star-37XFP-ISS; however, the Star-37S was also used.[1]

A contract to refurbish fourteen Titan II missiles to the Titan 23G configuration was awarded to Martin Marietta in January 1986. The first launch occurred on 5 September 1988, carrying a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. Thirteen were launched, with the fourteenth going to the Evergreen Aviation Museum.[2] The final flight occurred on 17 October 2003, carrying a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite.[3]

During refurbishment, the forward structure of the second stage was modified with the addition of a payload attachment fitting to attach the payload to the rocket, and installing a payload fairing to protect it during launch. The engines were refurbished, and the rockets' guidance and control systems were upgraded by Delco Electronics.

The former Titan IIIB pad at Vandenberg, SLC-4W, was modified to accommodate the Titan 23G, and was used for all thirteen launches.

Launch history

All launches of Titan II(23)G rockets took place from Space Launch Complex 4W (SLC-4W) at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Date/Time (UTC) Serial number Third Stage Payload Outcome Remarks
Rocket Stages
5 September 1988
09:25
G-1 B-98/56 None USA-32 (Bernie) Success
6 September 1989
01:48
G-2 B-75/99 None USA-45 (Bernie) Success Spacecraft failed immediately after launch
25 April 1992
08:53
G-3 B-102 None USA-81 (Bernie) Success
5 October 1993
17:56
G-5 B-65 None Landsat 6 Success Spacecraft Star-37 failure, failed to achieve orbit[4]
25 January 1994
16:34
G-11 B-89/67 None Clementine
DSPSE-ISA
Success
4 April 1997
16:47
G-6 B-106 None USA-131 (DMSP-5D2 F-14) Success
13 May 1998
15:52:04
G-12 B-84/80 None NOAA-15 (NOAA-K) Success Included oxidizer (N2O4) tank from Titan II B-72
20 June 1999
02:15:00
G-7 B-99/75 None QuikSCAT Success
12 December 1999
17:36:01
G-8 B-94/44 None USA-147 (DMSP-5D3 F-15) Success
21 September 2000
10:22
G-13 B-96/39 None NOAA-16 (NOAA-L) Success
24 June 2002
18:23:04
G-14 B-71/72 None NOAA-17 (NOAA-M) Success Included oxidizer (N2O4) tank from Titan II B-92
6 January 2003
14:19
G-4 B-105 None Coriolis Success
18 October 2003
16:17
G-9 B-107 None USA-172 (DMSP-5D3 F-16) Success Final Titan II launch

A fourteenth rocket, G-10, based on Titan II B-108, but incorporating an oxygen tank from B-80, was not launched and is preserved at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. The remaining 42 Titan II missiles were stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with most being broken up for salvage. Four were transferred to museums.

See also

References

  1. Krebs, Gunter. "Titan-2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  2. Kyle, Ed (2009-04-14). "Titan 23G Data Sheet". Space Launch Report. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  3. Wade, Mark. "Titan". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  4. Wade, Mark. "Landsat 6". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
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