Ares IV

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This article is about the proposed Ares IV launch vehicle. For the fictional vehicle from Star Trek, see Ares IV (Star Trek).

Comparison of Saturn V, Space Shuttle, and proposed Ares IV

The Ares IV launch vehicle is the third in a series of proposed heavy-lift space launch vehicles that will support Project Constellation, the United States' current program of manned space exploration.

[edit] Description

As described by NASA in January, 2007^[1], the 113m (367ft) vehicle would consist of the liquid-fueled core stage from the Ares V heavy lift launch vehicle (LV) design, two five-segment solid rocket boosters, and the liquid-fueled upper stage from the Ares I LV. Total payload capacity would be 41,100kg (90,420lb) to 240km (385 miles) for direct trans-lunar injection.

[edit] Mission

In late January 2007, NASA stated that the Ares IV was being considered as a way to fly early crewed lunar-orbit-only missions to provide "shakeout" testing of the Orion crew exploration vehicle, and to evaluate high-speed "skip" reentry profiles of the Orion capsule.^[2]

The Ares IV might also be useful beyond these early roles. The vehicle would be capable of launching either the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) or the Block 2 lunar mission Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV) into a direct lunar trajectory. After two Ares IV launches, one for the manned Orion spacecraft and one for the unmanned LSAM lander, the Orion and LSAM vehicles would rendezvous and dock in lunar orbit. This would be in contrast to the mission scenario for Ares I and Ares V, in which the crewed Orion and empty LSAM would rendezvous and dock in Earth orbit, then depart for the Moon. If the original plans are kept intact, the Ares IV may be useful for launching, in the event of an Apollo 13-like malfunction, a modified unmanned "Rescue Orion" to the Moon, allowing the crew, using the LSAM as a lifeboat, to abandon the damaged Orion and come back to Earth in the "Rescue Orion," in a manner similar to that of the Carpathia did with the Titanic survivors in 1912.

Also, the Ares IV, without the Solid Rocket Boosters, can also be utilized to place the Orion spacecraft into low-Earth orbit, allowing NASA to retire the Ares I and to save costs by using identical facilities. This would be in the same concept as that for the Saturn II and Saturn INT-20 rockets that were planned for the Apollo Applications Program, but scrapped by the Nixon Administration in favor of the Space Shuttle.

[edit] References

^ Rob Coppinger. "NASA quietly sets up budget for Ares IV lunar crew launch vehicle with 2017 test flight target", Flight International, 2 Jan 2007.
^ Berger, Brian. "NASA Studies Early Moon Shot for New Space Capsule", Space.com, 26 January 2007. Retrieved on January 26, 2007.

v • d • e Project Constellation
	Main Article: Project Constellation
	Components: Orion \| Ares I \| Ares IV \| Ares V \| Earth Departure Stage \| Lunar Surface Access Module \| J-2X \| RS-68
	Launch Sites: Kennedy Space Center LC-39
	Misc: Vision for Space Exploration \| Exploration Systems Architecture Study \| Abort Modes \| Missions \| In-Flight Aborts and Rescue Options