7
$\begingroup$

I found it quite fascinating that the Shuttle External Tank was as thin as 2.5mm. That seems very thin for a structure over 40 meters tall and weighing as much as 760 000kg fueled.

I'm curious how this compares to other rockets. I know original Atlas had very thin "balloon" tanks — but how thin was it actually, and how much did it weigh? And what about other rockets in use, say Falcon 9 or Atlas V? Or something really big like Saturn V? How much thickness and weight you need in the tank to support the whole rocket?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
9
$\begingroup$

Old school Atlas -- 0.1 to 0.4 inches (2.5 to 10 mm) thick -- so, actually, similar to the metal portion of the shuttle ET.

Centaur upper stage tanks -- 0.014"--0.016" (0.36 to 0.41 mm) thick (!).

Saturn V's 1st stage tanks varied in thickness from 0.170"-0.254" (4.32 to 6.45 mm).

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0
6
$\begingroup$

Adding to Russell's answer, Falcon 9 apparently has 3/16''-thick walls (4.7mm). This is interesting, because it's more than Shuttle's ET and about as much as parts of S-IC, despite being a smaller rocket. Presumably this is for extra structural margins to make the stage survive multiple reuse.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ The system won't let me suggest an edit for 1 character, so wanted to notify you that 4.7mm is 3/16''. $\endgroup$
    – jkavalik
    May 22, 2016 at 12:45
  • $\begingroup$ This Wired article confirms wall thickness is "about 5 mm". $\endgroup$
    – Hobbes
    May 23, 2016 at 8:19
  • $\begingroup$ Falcon 9 carries thrust loss $\endgroup$
    – Saiboogu
    Aug 27, 2020 at 4:27
1
$\begingroup$

For ariane 5 the thickness is:

8mm for the solid boosters 4mm for the cryogenic main stage.

However both have an additional thermal insulation layer. I couldn't find data for the booster [see comments], but it's 2cm for the cryogenic one.

Considering this data I wouldn't be surprised if the insulating layer is missing from the other answers.

PS: the fairing is 3cm thick.

source

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The insulating layer is not a structural component. $\endgroup$
    – Hobbes
    May 23, 2016 at 14:35
  • $\begingroup$ Of course, but it's misleading not to include it $\endgroup$
    – Antzi
    May 23, 2016 at 14:37
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ AFAIK, the Ariane 5 boosters only have thermal insulation on the bottom end of the booster, on the inboard side which faces the first stage main engine. $\endgroup$
    – Hobbes
    May 23, 2016 at 14:41

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.