Part 1: Overview and Concept
Sea Dragon was a design study from 1962 for a two-stage, sea-launched heavy-lift rocket. It is known as the largest rocket ever proposed and the second largest in low Earth orbit (LEO) payload capacity. The idea came from engineer Robert Truax at Aerojet, who wanted to create a cost-effective “big dumb booster” that relied on simple, large designs to reduce launch expenses. Launching from the ocean would not only minimize engine noise but also eliminate the need for extensive ground launch facilities.
Part 2: Specifications and Design
The Sea Dragon was envisioned to stand 490 feet (150 m) tall and weigh about 40 million pounds (18 million kg), with a capacity to carry 1.2 million pounds (544,000 kg) into LEO. By comparison, the Saturn V was 363 feet (110 m) tall and could transport 261,000 pounds (118,000 kg). Its design featured a pointed first stage that fit inside the second stage, and both stages were meant to be reusable, increasing overall efficiency and reducing costs.
Part 3: Construction, Launch Site, and Legacy
The plan was to build Sea Dragon at a coastal shipyard, after which the rocket would be towed to its designated launch area. Despite its impressive specifications, the Sea Dragon was deemed unnecessary as NASA prioritized the development of the Saturn V. While there was some interest in the project, it ultimately remained on the drawing board due to budget constraints. Today, Sea Dragon is recognized as the largest rocket ever imagined and is discussed in the video “The Largest Rocket Never Launched” by Primal Space, showcasing the bold ambitions of the early space exploration era.
Related Stories:
- https://www.spaceflighthistories.com/post/sea-dragon
- https://www.autoevolution.com/news/sea-dragon-a-long-forgotten-490-foot-tall-rocket-concept-come-to-life-on-apple-tv-210910.html
- https://www.iflscience.com/the-sea-dragon-rocket-was-a-big-dumb-booster-and-would-have-been-truly-awesome-77696
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/sea-dragon-big-dumb-ocean-134345004.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ9EUCt_
- https://medium.com/@myaero29/table-of-contents-661d4923d462
Take Action
- https://www.nasa.gov/starport/starport-donations/
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19630034440 (Learn About the Concept From NASA)
