Point of Divergence

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Nuclear OTV in Earth orbit, designed for my Orion's Arm future history setting. Gas Core (Closed Cycle) Nuclear Light Bulb  propulsion module design (conical module and mated service module (sporting radiator panels) at rear of vehicle)  is derived from NASA Technical Memorandum 58238 Satellite Power System: Concept Development and Evaluation Program Volume VI1 - Space Transportation, November1981.

The payload lofted to orbit via the reusable nuclear HLLV-SSTO, as shown in my previous images Ascent and On-Station, has been transferred to a Nuclear OTV - OTV is the common abbreviation for Orbital Transfer Vehicle.

The HLLV Command Module has docked with its nuclear launch stage, (the docked vehicles are visible low in frame, off-center Left) the vehicle is now configured for re-entry, and the two spacecraft have moved several miles apart. Once the vehicles have reached minimum separation distance the OTV will fire its nuclear rocket, making a burn for a transfer trajectory to lunar orbit - total transit time (LEO to lunar orbit) is 12 hours.

The nuclear OTV is another first generation post-Pandemonium spacecraft operated by Clan Sinclair, the spherical personnel lander is the means by which the members of the clan make their way to the lunar outpost. At lunar orbit the modular payload will be transferred to a different set of vehicles for descent to the lunar surface while passengers will descend via the spherical personnel lander.

Image is part of a future historical setting; see my journal entry Orion’s Arm Future History, A Synopsis.

A Timeline Graph is to be found here: Timeline.

For detail on Sinclair’s grand hoax and the relationship between the Martians and Sinclair see my journal entries:

Martian Earth Return.

Luna.

Background image courtesy NASA/JPL

Related Images:

Ascent

On-Station

Point of Divergence

Selene II