U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet
TITAN IVB
Mission The Titan IVB is a heavy-lift space launch vehicle used to carry government payloads such as Defense Support Program, Milstar and National Reconnaissance Office satellites into space. It is launched from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Features The Titan IVB is the most recent and largest unmanned space booster used by the Air Force. It provides assured capability for launch of space shuttle-class payloads. The vehicle is flexible in that it can be launched with no upper stage, or one of two optional upper stages for greater and varied carrying ability. The Titan IVB consists of a liquid-fueled core and two large solid rocket boosters. It is launched on the solids; the liquid core ignites about 2 minutes into flight. The Titan IVB core consists of an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket that features structurally independent tanks for its fuel (Aerozine 50) and oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide). This minimizes the hazard of the two mixing if a leak should develop in either tank. Additionally the engine propellant can be stored in a launch-ready state for extended periods. The use of propellants stored at normal temperature and pressure eliminates delays and gives the Titan IVB the capability to meet critical launch windows. The second stage consists of an LR91 liquid propellant rocket engine attached to an airframe, like stage 1. For increased performance Titan IVB also uses two solid propellant strap-on boosters. The Titan IVB consists of a liquid-fueled core and two large solid rocket boosters. It is launched on the solids; the liquid core ignites about 2 minutes into flight. The Titan IVB core consists of an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket that features structurally independent tanks for its fuel (Aerozine 50) and oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide). This minimizes the hazard of the two mixing if a leak should develop in either tank. Additionally the engine propellant can be stored in a launch-ready state for extended periods. The use of propellants stored at normal temperature and pressure eliminates delays and gives the Titan IVB the capability to meet critical launch windows. The second stage consists of an LR91 liquid propellant rocket engine attached to an airframe, like stage 1. For increased performance Titan IVB also uses two solid propellant strap-on boosters. Background The Titan family was established in October 1955 when the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (the former Martin Company) a contract to build a heavy-duty space system. It became known as the Titan I, the nation's first two-stage, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and first underground silo-based ICBM. Titan I provided many structural and propulsion techniques that were later incorporated into the Titan II. Years later, the Titan IVB evolved from the Titan III family and is similar to the Titan 34D. The last Titan IVA was launched in August 1998. The first Titan IVB flew on Feb. 23, 1997. The Titan IVB is an upgraded rocket having a new guidance system, flight termination system, ground checkout system, solid rocket motor upgrade and a 25 percent increase in thrust capability. General Characteristics Primary Function: Heavy-lift space launch vehicle Builder: Lockheed-Martin Astronautics Power Plant: Stage 0 currently consists of two solid-rocket motors; Stage 1 uses an LR87 liquid-propellant rocket engine; and Stage 2 uses the LR91 liquid-propellant engine. Optional upper stages include the Centaur and inertial upper stage. Guidance System: A ring laser gyro guidance system manufactured by Honeywell. Thrust: Solid rocket motors provide 1.7 million pounds per motor at liftoff. First stage provides an average of 548,000 pounds and second stage provides an average of 105,000 pounds. Optional Centaur upper stage provides 33,100 pounds and the inertial upper stage provides up to 41,500 pounds. Length: Up to 204 feet (62.17 meters) Lift Capability: Can carry up to 47,800 pounds (21,682 kilograms) into a low-earth orbit up to 12,700 pounds (5,761 kilograms) into a geosynchronous orbit when launched from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla.; and up to 38,800 pounds (17,599 kilograms) into a low-earth polar orbit when launched from Vandenberg AFB. Using an inertial upper stage, the Titan IVB can transport up to 5,250 pounds (2,381 kilograms) into geosynchronous orbit. Maximum Takeoff Weight: Approximately 2.2 million pounds (997,913 kilograms) Cost: Approximately $250-350 million, depending on launch configuration. Date deployed: June 1989 Launch sites: Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Inventory: Unavailable
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