Project Nova HLV

[K_Jameson]

Yep, interesting. I wonder if the code allows for the insertion of the correct isp values for sea level and vacuum. With Ms2015 i had to do some workarounds to get the job done.

The ability to instruct the addon to perform a propulsive reentry of the boosters, Falcon 9 and New Glenn style, would also be welcome.

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Really hope they'll add Prupulsice landing ability. Well see.
Will the Steel tanks be bare metal. If so ot wold be cool to have frost visable like during Starship launches.
Can't wait to Launch Nova of the pad during a sunrise.

 

[K_Jameson]

Yep, mostly bare metal. I have some ideas on how to achieve the frost effect, but we will see

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Sorry, Beta is the small one. As for the core supports on the Alpha launch pad, I still have to decide whether or not to install them. On SLS, Ariane 5, and many others, the rocket is held in place only by the boosters; the core doesn't rest anywhere. The problem with the center core is that the expendable and the reusable version have different geometry and thus a reconfigurable support would be needed.

A tower as the Pad 39 would be welcome, but I must also keep an eye on the polygon count. With a highly detailed lattice structure, the numbers would explode. Anyway, we will see, I'll decide on the launch pads once the rocket configuration is frozen.

How manny more polygons are allowed?

 

[K_Jameson]

How manny more polygons are allowed?

well, I don't know, depends on the system, I imagine the model you shared here seems relatively low poly (17,000). The umbilicals and the base of my launchpad, alone, have more, and a full Nova V (without the payload!) is about 216,000... For comparison, a legacy Jarvis M was around 24,000. I'm always afraid to not have sufficient fluidity in the sim

 

[Spaceman 3D]

OK nice reference this a first desing i wipped up in 30 min or so. sill need to add railing pipes etc.

 

[K_Jameson]

As requested, here a brief recap of the project.

Currently, Nova family consists basically in a methalox first stage / booster (MCS, Modular Common Stage), a hydrolox core (XCS, eXploration Core Stage) and a variety of upper stages, collectively known under the monicker HES (High Energy Stage).

As on January 2026 the family consists in these rockets:

Nova I
A single MCS as first stage, HES-2 as second stage, for a paylad of about 18t in LEO and 6t in GTO. The HES-2 stage can be replaced with a "Argo" crew vehicle.

Nova III
Two MCS as boosters, one more MCS as expendable core, HES-2 as upper stage, for a paylad of about 33t in GTO and 26t to the Moon. This version is currently considered for deletion.

Nova V
Two or four MCS as boosters, XCS as core, optional HES-4 as upper stage, for a payload of 100-150t in LEO depending on the number of boosters, and 46t in LLO. Atop of the rocket, instead of HES-4, could be placed the "Argo" spacecraft. The upcoming "Auriga" lunar lander will be a payload of choice, for a dual launch mission profile with lunar orbit rendez-vous with Argo. The XCS expendable core stage can be replaced with a XCS-R reusable one, for LEO high-cadence duty (cargo or refuel - only unmanned). LEO payload probably around 30-35t. A yet-to-be-confirmed HES-1 kick stage could be placed in the XCS-R cargo bay, for BLEO robotic exploration missions.

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Nice recap. How about a reusable F9 style XCS first stage with a HES 4 second stage?

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Some more messing around with the tower and umbilical locations

 

[Spaceman 3D]

And with a moc Nova V

 

[K_Jameson]

Good. What program?

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Umbilicals bottom to top:
Booster acess arrms: allow access to the booster forward skirt/nose cone for FTS work
Stage 1 Intertank acces/GH2 return umbilical: allowes access to the inside of the Intertank, also has the GH2 return line that routs boiled off H2 to the Flare stack for safe combustion
Stage 1 Fwd skirt Umbilical: provides conditioning for FWD skirt
HES 4: LOX Fill/Drain
HES 4: H2 fill/vent umbilical
Payload condtioning

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Good. What program?

Blender

 

[K_Jameson]

Nice recap. How about a reusable F9 style XCS first stage with a HES 4 second stage?

Little advantage over Nova 5 R and not totally reusable; XCS would need more engines, maybe 7, and/or shortened tanks. HES-4 t/w ratio is too low for long propulsive ascent with heavy payload - It is meant for deep space operations. It is a tempting design, but maybe unnecessary

 

[Spaceman 3D]

And with a moc Nova V

The Launch Platform has the dimensions of the Saturn V/Shuttle MLP. This would allow launches to take place from LC 39B. Just need to add GSE to support Methane

 

[Spaceman 3D]

What is the Vertex count for cyliners you're using?

 

[K_Jameson]

As per tradition, I work with 32-sides cylinders. It is a bit low poly count, but it works fine.

 

[Spaceman 3D]

Nothing changed from the Jarvis days. Just downloaded the Blender Orbiter addon and took a look through the Jarvis parts

 

[K_Jameson]

Jarvis was really low poly except for the engines, and in general was pretty poorly researched. Not really "enginereed". For example, the size of the tanks was not really calculated, there was no mention of things like venting and pressurization circuits, the launchpads were a bit "random", the ISP at sea level was not contemplated, etc.
Nova is a totally different level. Not only the poly count is in average 10x the Jarvis, but I wanted to draw internal systems, to size tanks carefully, to define the specs with greater attention. For example, if you calculate the expansion ratio of the engines using the meshes as a reference, you will find values consistent with the declared specifications.

 

[K_Jameson]

We have RCS thrusters. I've shielded the booster mounts with some fairings. I still have to decide whether I can settle for that or not.




"Angry alligator" opening test.