Ares V

The Ares V was a plan to create a cargo rocket for the cancelled Constellation program. Ares V was planned to launch the Earth Departure Stage and Altair lunar lander for a plan to return to the Moon in 2019. [3] The Ares V was supposed to complement the Ares I, which was being designed as a crew launch vehicle. The Ares designs were selected for their anticipated overall safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness.[4]

Ares V
Ares-V (Feb 2008).jpg
Artist's impression of an Ares V during solid rocket booster separation
FunctionCargo Launch Vehicle
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height116 m (381 ft) or 109 m (358 ft)
Diameter10 m (33 ft) or 8.4 m (28 ft)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO188,000 kg (414,000 lb)[1]
Payload to TLI71,100 kg (156,700 lb) or 60,600 kg (133,600 lb)
Launch history
StatusCanceled
Launch sitesKennedy Space Center, LC-39B
Boosters – 5- or 5.5-segment Shuttle-derived SRB
Engines1 solid
FuelAPCP (solid)
First stage
Engines5 or 6 RS-68B[2] or 5 SSME (RS-25)
Thrust8,350 kN (1,880,000 lbf) or 10,350 kN (2,330,000 lbf) upper atmosphere (figures for RS-25)
FuelLH2/LOX
Second stage – Earth Departure Stage
Engines1 or 2 J-2X
FuelLH2/LOX

The Ares V was planned to be able to carry about 188,000 kilograms (414,000 pounds) to Low Earth orbit (LEO), and 71,000 kilograms (157,000 pounds) to the Moon.[2] Upon completion the Ares V was planned to be the most powerful rocket ever built, lifting more into orbit than even the Saturn V.[5] Ares V, Ares IV, and Ares I are named after Ares, the Greek god, which is the equivalent to the Roman god Mars.

Ares V Media

Related pages

References

  1. HSF Final Report: Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation, October 2009, Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, p. 65-66.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Overview: Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle, NASA. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  3. Handlin, Daniel (2006-10-11). NASA sets Orion 13 for Moon Return. NASA SpaceFlight.com. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2006/10/nasa-sets-orion-13-for-moon-return/. Retrieved 2007-01-12. 
  4. "NASA - Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle". NASA. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  5. Steve Creech, Steve and Phil Sumrall. "Ares V: Refining a New Heavy Lift Capability". NASA.