Ares V: Difference between revisions
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The second stage, similar to the [[S-IVB]] upper stage used on the [[Saturn IB]] and Saturn V rockets, is known as the [[Earth Departure Stage]] (EDS). The EDS would feature a single J-2X rocket engine (also used as the second-stage engine for the [[Ares I]]) that will maneuver the [[Altair (spacecraft)|Altair lunar lander]] or any large-sized payload into a circular orbit.<ref name="AresV_overview"/> On lunar missions, the EDS will then fire its engine for a second time to place the combined [[Orion (spacecraft)|Orion spacecraft]] and [[Altair (spacecraft)|Altair lunar lander]] onto a trajectory to the Moon. |
The second stage, similar to the [[S-IVB]] upper stage used on the [[Saturn IB]] and Saturn V rockets, is known as the [[Earth Departure Stage]] (EDS). The EDS would feature a single J-2X rocket engine (also used as the second-stage engine for the [[Ares I]]) that will maneuver the [[Altair (spacecraft)|Altair lunar lander]] or any large-sized payload into a circular orbit.<ref name="AresV_overview"/> On lunar missions, the EDS will then fire its engine for a second time to place the combined [[Orion (spacecraft)|Orion spacecraft]] and [[Altair (spacecraft)|Altair lunar lander]] onto a trajectory to the Moon. |
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The Ares V |
The per-launch payload capacity of the Ares V system, approximately 188 tonnes, is more than 6 times larger than that of other [[Comparison_of_heavy_lift_launch_systems | heavy-lift launch vehicles]] in use or under development worldwide, and is substantially larger than the retired American [[Saturn V]] and Soviet/Russian [[Energia]] rockets. As a consequence, it would be capable of supporting manned expansion to the [[Moon]] as well as to [[Mars]]<ref name="AresV_overview"/> with minimal use of in-space assembly capabilities. It can also support a manned Orion expedition to a [[Orion Asteroid Mission|Near-Earth asteroid]], and could boost an 8 to 16-meter successor of the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] to the [[Sun]]-Earth [[Lagrange_Point#L2|L<sub>2</sub>]] point. |
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== Ares V's role in Project Constellation == |
== Ares V's role in Project Constellation == |
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Revision as of 22:03, 11 May 2009
.jpg) Artist's impression of an Ares V during SRB separation | |
| Function | Cargo Launch Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TBD (stage I) TBD (stage II) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 381 ft (116 m) |
| Diameter | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | 188,000 kg (414,000 lb) |
| Payload to TLI | 71,100 kg (156,700 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In Development |
| Launch sites | Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A |
| Total launches | 0 |
| First flight | Scheduled for 2018 |
| Boosters - 5-segment or 5.5-segment Shuttle-derived SRB | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Engines | 1 solid |
| Thrust | TBC |
| Burn time | TBC |
| Propellant | APCP (solid) |
| First stage | |
| Engines | 5 or 6 RS-68B[1] |
| Thrust | TBC |
| Burn time | TBC |
| Propellant | LH2/LOX |
| Second stage Earth Departure Stage | |
| Engines | 1 J-2X |
| Propellant | LH2/LOX |
The Ares V (formerly known as the Cargo Launch Vehicle or CaLV) is the cargo launch component of Project Constellation. Ares V will launch the Earth Departure Stage and Altair lunar lander when NASA returns to the Moon, which is currently planned for 2019.[2] The Ares V will complement the Ares I, which is being designed as a crew launch vehicle. The Ares V will be able to carry about 188 tonnes (414,000 lb) to Low Earth orbit (LEO), and 71 tonnes (157,000 lb) to the Moon.[1] Upon completion the Ares V will be the most powerful rocket ever built, lifting more into orbit than even the Saturn V.[3] Ares V, Ares IV, and Ares I are named after Ares, the Greek god, which is the equivalent to the Roman god Mars.
Design
The Ares V is being designed as a heavy-launch vehicle capable of sending large-scale hardware and materials to the Moon and supplying needed staples to sustain a human presence beyond Earth orbit.[1] Ares V is a two-stage rocket: the first stage utilizes both solid and liquid propulsion with the second stage using a single J-2X rocket engine.
The first stage has two separate types of engines. Like the Space Shuttle, the Ares V will use both liquid-fueled and solid-fueled engines simultaneously. The solid rockets will use two Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster-derived rockets, which will have five and a half segments [4][5] instead of the four currently used on the Space Shuttle.[1] Additionally, the Ares V will use six RS-68B liquid-fueled engines[4] attached to the bottom of a new core derived from the Space Shuttle External Tank.[1] Originally, NASA intended to use five Space Shuttle Main Engines instead of the RS-68s. NASA changed to the RS-68 in 2006 due to the engine's reduced cost and simplicity compared to the SSME, and its higher thrust. The RS-68 was developed in the 1990s to be a competitively priced engine for the EELV expendable launch system.
The second stage, similar to the S-IVB upper stage used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, is known as the Earth Departure Stage (EDS). The EDS would feature a single J-2X rocket engine (also used as the second-stage engine for the Ares I) that will maneuver the Altair lunar lander or any large-sized payload into a circular orbit.[1] On lunar missions, the EDS will then fire its engine for a second time to place the combined Orion spacecraft and Altair lunar lander onto a trajectory to the Moon.
The per-launch payload capacity of the Ares V system, approximately 188 tonnes, is more than 6 times larger than that of other heavy-lift launch vehicles in use or under development worldwide, and is substantially larger than the retired American Saturn V and Soviet/Russian Energia rockets. As a consequence, it would be capable of supporting manned expansion to the Moon as well as to Mars[1] with minimal use of in-space assembly capabilities. It can also support a manned Orion expedition to a Near-Earth asteroid, and could boost an 8 to 16-meter successor of the Hubble Space Telescope to the Sun-Earth L2 point.
Ares V's role in Project Constellation
Ares V will be the cargo launch component of Project Constellation. Unlike the Saturn V and Space Shuttle, where the crew and cargo were launched together on the same rocket, Project Constellation is planned to use two separate launch vehicles, the Ares I and the Ares V, for crew and cargo respectively. This allows the two launch vehicles to be optimized for their respective missions. Constellation therefore combines the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous used by Apollo with the Earth Orbit Rendezvous mode.
The Ares V rocket is NASA's new heavy-lift launch vehicle. It is being designed to launch the Earth Departure Stage and Altair lunar lander as well as being the platform to launch new modules for the International Space Station, NASA's proposed lunar outpost and any human missions to Mars in the future.[1]
Development of the rocket and its Earth departure stage will be led by the Marshall Space Flight Center. The Ames Research Center is responsible for the Ares V integrated health management system supports in developing its payload shroud. Glenn Research Center leads the development of the lunar lander ascent stage as well as Ares V power system, thrust vector control system and payload shroud. Langley Research Center as a lead role on Ares V aerodynamics.[6]
Further roles
Although the Ares V is a medium to long term project, NASA is planning to deploy its lift capability in a range of projects,[7] along the lines of the now defunct Apollo Applications Program.
One proposal is to build an 8 to 16-meter Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope[8] to be placed in the Sun/Earth L2 point. It would be a significant increase in dimension and performance over the Hubble Space Telescope and the Ares V vehicle will be able to carry this to its destination in a single shot.
Early concepts
In the book The Case for Mars, Robert Zubrin discussed a possible future heavy launch vehicle named Ares.[9] In the book the rocket would have consisted of the Space Shuttle's External Tank powered by four SSME and a second stage powered by an RL-10 engine.
See also
- Ares I
- Ares IV
- Comparison of heavy lift launch systems
- Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle
- Direct Launch Vehicle
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Overview: Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle, NASA. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
- ^ Handlin, Daniel (2006-10-11). "NASA sets Orion 13 for Moon Return". NASA SpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
- ^ Steve Creech, Steve and Phil Sumrall. "Ares V: Refining a New Heavy Lift Capability". NASA.
- ^ a b "Study reveals a six RS-68 and 5.5 segment booster for Ares V". NASAspaceflight.com. 2008-06-15.
- ^ "NASA Needs A Bigger Ares V". Aviation Week & Space Technology, February 27, 2008.
- ^ NASA Assigns Field Center Roles for Ares 5, Lunar Lander, SPACE.com
- ^ "Thinking Big About Space Telescopes". NASA.
- ^ "Where Will Astronomy Be In 35 Years?". Astronomy Magazine, August 2008
- ^ Zubrin, Robert & Wagner, Richard. 1997. The Case for Mars. Page 61ss
External links
- NASA Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle page
- A Visual History of Project Constellation
- Can we power future Mars missions?
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