Makes sense

Space/Science » in reply to Peacekeeper missile quietly being retired.

Makes sense

Gary — 4/8/2004 6:16:04 AM (archived)

Mutual Assured Destruction no longer applies. There's no need for Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles (MIRV). MX (Peacekeeper) was designed for carrying up to 11 MIRVs (treaties limited it to 10 RVs). Also the MX had a liquid fueled fourth stage based on hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Both hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide are very nasty chemicals. The main reason why they got rid of the Titan-II was because of its nasty liquid propellants (killed a bunch of USAF people through accidents). Since the Minuteman III now only carries one RV, the US should consider going back to including decoys as used with Titan-II (they probably have) and converting the RV to a maneuverable RV, e.g. like the Advanced Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (AMaRV). AMaRV was a very slick design. The DC-X was descended from AMaRV (same guys who designed AMaRV also designed the DC-X).

Gary

The whole thread (10 posts)

Peacekeeper missile quietly being retired. - Tom Brosz - 4/8/2004 4:40:52 AM
- Makes sense - Gary - 4/8/2004 6:16:04 AM
  - Post Boost Vehicles - Larry J - 4/8/2004 3:59:12 PM
    - re: Post Boost Vehicles - Gary - 4/9/2004 4:18:19 AM
      - re: Post Boost Vehicles - Larry J - 4/9/2004 1:44:26 PM
        
        Defeating an ABM with a MARV - Gary - 4/9/2004 4:26:49 PM
        
        Interesting - Larry J - 4/9/2004 5:41:23 PM
        
        re: Interesting - Gary - 4/10/2004 6:20:52 AM
    - Could we have Peacekeeper missiles converted to satellite launchers? (n/t) - Jacob Samorodin - 4/8/2004 4:24:43 PM
      - Yes, but... - Larry J - 4/8/2004 5:41:41 PM

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