HISTORY:
Like a lot of engineering innovations, the XR2-DSB (Deep Space Booster) came from a bunch of frustrated, bored engineers sitting around with a problem to solve.
The problem was that FASE was trying to get their DG-V off the ground, but trying to fit the powerful Mark VI (400,000 N thrust) to the frame kept causing trouble. "Like fitting a Ferrari engine to a Yugo", one of the engineers complained. In addition, because of a lack of booster time, they were unable to fully test the Mark VI engine in space, especially in the intended dual-mount needed for the DG-V system.
One of the engineers proposed a compromise-building a "test" framework that could be maded to a modified XR2 in orbit. Using the "fuel cartriage" system for the XR2, testing could be done nearly continuously, having XR2s come up with full fuel tanks and bringing the empties home.
The prototype DSB was designed very carefully-with the frame arms locked back, it could fit in a XR5 fully loaded. Once in orbit, it would dock with a modified XR2 (with frame connectors and a flight control computer configured for operations with the DSB). Balance issues dictated that six fuel cartriages had to be loaded to give the nessisary stress levels for testing.
During assessment by the United States Coast Guard SSB (Space Safety Bureau), the Coast Guard expressed interest in the DSB-with a full load of fuel, it could rapidly reach any point in Cislunar orbit. By undocking the XR2, it could reach a Earthside hospital in less than 90 minutes from orbit.
More customer offers flowed in, as the DSB-A version the Coast Guard used would be picked up by everybody from NASA to private contractors who liked the idea of a ship that could easily go from Earth to the Moon (later Mars or Venus) and land there easily without having to switch ships.
All versions of the DSB mounted a full radiator set that would connect with the XR2s external radiator port-the DSB used "smart" radiators that would automatically retract or extend depending upon the acceleration of the DSB. In addition, the DSB mounted a reactor more than powerful enough for all the needs of the DSB and the XR2.
Several versions of the DSB came into existance. Some of the major versions were-
DSB (the base test desgin, mounting two Mark VI engines and six fuel tanks).
DSB-A (the production version, which also included an inflateable aerobrake aft near the engines, for the Coast Guard and other customers-the aerobrake meants that the -A could use atmospheric braking if needed).
DSB-A1 (the A version minus the aerobrake, but with bigger RCS thrusters).
DSB-B (a "stretched" version that used four Mark VI engines and had spaces for up to twelve cartriges-all could be used for fuel or cargo. It had to be boosted up to orbit by a Jupiter 120 due to length).
DSB-C (the "Mars Ready" version, needing to be launched by a Jupiter 232, but could mount two standard drop pods in addition to the full fuel and tank system for the DSB-B).
DSB-C(Mk2) (the "Jupiter Ready" version, which needed be lifted by a Jupiter 232, then fully outfitted by a XR5 with the enlarged crew module and a radiation cage . A tunnel array was designed to reach between the XR2's crew module with a physical hardock system. DSB-C(Mk2)s would form the first "deep" caravan between Earth and Europa).
DSB-D (a testbed version that mounted a prototype "Orion" booster and framework. The fuel system was modifed to feed the nessisary fuel "round" used the engine.)
DSB-D(Mk1) (a prototype using a "confinement fusion" pulse engine system similar to the Project Daedalus system. Lifted by a Jupiter 232, fueled by a specialized pellet feed system).
DSB-D(Mk2) (the legendary "fastest ship alive", only three were built. All used hydrogen/antihydrogen magnetic pion compression and a powerful magnetic bottle system to contain the thrust. Built on Earth, it was fuled in Lunar orbit and never came closer to Earth than the L2 point. One would be involved in the Ganyamede Crisis).
DSB-D(Mk3) (a fusion pulse engine version of the DSB-C(Mk2). It cut travel times between Jupiter and Earth in half).
The DSB system would become the "jeep" of the Solar System. Eventually, a dedicated crew/command module would be built, easily lifted to orbit by a Jupiter 120, but legend would forever combine the XR2 and the DSB.
Like a lot of engineering innovations, the XR2-DSB (Deep Space Booster) came from a bunch of frustrated, bored engineers sitting around with a problem to solve.
The problem was that FASE was trying to get their DG-V off the ground, but trying to fit the powerful Mark VI (400,000 N thrust) to the frame kept causing trouble. "Like fitting a Ferrari engine to a Yugo", one of the engineers complained. In addition, because of a lack of booster time, they were unable to fully test the Mark VI engine in space, especially in the intended dual-mount needed for the DG-V system.
One of the engineers proposed a compromise-building a "test" framework that could be maded to a modified XR2 in orbit. Using the "fuel cartriage" system for the XR2, testing could be done nearly continuously, having XR2s come up with full fuel tanks and bringing the empties home.
The prototype DSB was designed very carefully-with the frame arms locked back, it could fit in a XR5 fully loaded. Once in orbit, it would dock with a modified XR2 (with frame connectors and a flight control computer configured for operations with the DSB). Balance issues dictated that six fuel cartriages had to be loaded to give the nessisary stress levels for testing.
During assessment by the United States Coast Guard SSB (Space Safety Bureau), the Coast Guard expressed interest in the DSB-with a full load of fuel, it could rapidly reach any point in Cislunar orbit. By undocking the XR2, it could reach a Earthside hospital in less than 90 minutes from orbit.
More customer offers flowed in, as the DSB-A version the Coast Guard used would be picked up by everybody from NASA to private contractors who liked the idea of a ship that could easily go from Earth to the Moon (later Mars or Venus) and land there easily without having to switch ships.
All versions of the DSB mounted a full radiator set that would connect with the XR2s external radiator port-the DSB used "smart" radiators that would automatically retract or extend depending upon the acceleration of the DSB. In addition, the DSB mounted a reactor more than powerful enough for all the needs of the DSB and the XR2.
Several versions of the DSB came into existance. Some of the major versions were-
DSB (the base test desgin, mounting two Mark VI engines and six fuel tanks).
DSB-A (the production version, which also included an inflateable aerobrake aft near the engines, for the Coast Guard and other customers-the aerobrake meants that the -A could use atmospheric braking if needed).
DSB-A1 (the A version minus the aerobrake, but with bigger RCS thrusters).
DSB-B (a "stretched" version that used four Mark VI engines and had spaces for up to twelve cartriges-all could be used for fuel or cargo. It had to be boosted up to orbit by a Jupiter 120 due to length).
DSB-C (the "Mars Ready" version, needing to be launched by a Jupiter 232, but could mount two standard drop pods in addition to the full fuel and tank system for the DSB-B).
DSB-C(Mk2) (the "Jupiter Ready" version, which needed be lifted by a Jupiter 232, then fully outfitted by a XR5 with the enlarged crew module and a radiation cage . A tunnel array was designed to reach between the XR2's crew module with a physical hardock system. DSB-C(Mk2)s would form the first "deep" caravan between Earth and Europa).
DSB-D (a testbed version that mounted a prototype "Orion" booster and framework. The fuel system was modifed to feed the nessisary fuel "round" used the engine.)
DSB-D(Mk1) (a prototype using a "confinement fusion" pulse engine system similar to the Project Daedalus system. Lifted by a Jupiter 232, fueled by a specialized pellet feed system).
DSB-D(Mk2) (the legendary "fastest ship alive", only three were built. All used hydrogen/antihydrogen magnetic pion compression and a powerful magnetic bottle system to contain the thrust. Built on Earth, it was fuled in Lunar orbit and never came closer to Earth than the L2 point. One would be involved in the Ganyamede Crisis).
DSB-D(Mk3) (a fusion pulse engine version of the DSB-C(Mk2). It cut travel times between Jupiter and Earth in half).
The DSB system would become the "jeep" of the Solar System. Eventually, a dedicated crew/command module would be built, easily lifted to orbit by a Jupiter 120, but legend would forever combine the XR2 and the DSB.
