Matt Wronkiewicz's Weblog» heavy lift

Ares V Light

Matt — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:23:21 +0000

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee recently released a summary of their report. The contents of that report mostly reflects the documents they had previously released and their comments during the public meetings. The report lists the most promising of the combinations of different options for exploring beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Several of the architectures that they recommended include a new heavy lift vehicle (HLV) called Ares V Light, also known as Ares V Lite. Very little information has been released about this HLV, so I’ll document here what I have learned about it.

Ares V Light is a simplification of the Ares V design, which itself is a derivation of the Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) described in the 2005 Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) report. ESAS considered several combinations of existing hardware and extensions to that hardware that were considered low-risk. CaLV comprised a Space Shuttle External Tank (ET)-sized core powered by five Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) and two five-segment Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). The SSMEs would be thrown away on every flight. CaLV would send about 55 metric tons (mT) to a trans-lunar injection (TLI).

Ares V Light and Ares V differ outwardly only in the number of segments in each SRB

CaLV eventually was refined into the Ares V design. Ares V was modified in several ways from the CaLV in order to increase payload and reduce per-flight cost. In particular it uses expendable RS-68B engines derived from the Delta IV, and it extended the SRBs to 5.5 segments. The payload capacity of Ares V is an impressive 159 mT to LEO and 71 mT to TLI. With these upgrades, Ares V deviates significantly from the Ares I components that it was intended to share. Also, it requires the development of a new SRB design and a new LOX/LH2 engine variant.

Ares V Light is closer to the original CaLV design in that it maintains the original 5 segment SRB. Another difference is that it trades the advanced RS-68B for the RS-68A, which is nearing operational capability on the Delta IV. Payload capacity is reduced to 143 mT. This limits it to sending the Orion space capsule to the Moon or the Altair lander, but not both at the same time. Thus, a mission to the lunar surface would require two launches of Ares V Light instead of one Ares I and one Ares V. An additional crew launch aboard a commercial vehicle may be required for this mission if Ares V Light is not man-rated.

Ares V Light has several advantages over the baseline Ares I + Ares V configuration. Primarily, it requires the development and operation of a single NASA-owned rocket instead of two. The committee found that operating both Ares I and Ares V at the projected budget levels would consume NASA’s entire exploration budget, leaving nothing for expeditions beyond LEO. Also, Ares V Light would require less development work. The five segment SRB has been successfully tested, as have the RS-68A engines. The downsides are that it would have less lift capacity in a single launch, and that it would render moot some of the development work that has gone into Ares I. Ares V Light development is projected to finish in the early 2020s. After the Space Shuttle is retired, NASA would have no in-house space launch vehicles for more than a decade. This would extend the “gap” during which NASA would be unable to fly its astronauts by about five years over the baseline case. However, this could be mitigated by encouraging the development of commercial alternative crew launch, which the committee estimates would be ready by 2016.

The Ares V Light configuration first appeared in Bo Bejmuk’s July 29 presentation of the LEO Access subcommittee. Information about this configuration seems to have come from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), as Ares V Integration Manager Steve Creech referred to it in his presentation that day. Ares V Light was included in three of the seven architectures retained after the August 12 meeting, and those options were carried forward in the final report. The summary stated “of these two Ares system alternatives, the Committee finds the Ares V Lite in the dual mode the preferred reference option.”

References

“Launch Vehicles and Earth Departure Stages“. Exploration Systems Architecture Study. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. November 2005.
Bejmuk, Bo. “LEO Access Subgroup“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 29 July 2009.
“Transcript: Constellation Architecture, Part 6b“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 29 July 2009.
“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
“Summary Report“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 8 September 2009.

Future of NASA: Deep Space (Shuttle Derived)

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:07:54 +0000

Previous: Deep Space (Commercial HLV)

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The seventh architecture in the list is focused on exploration missions to deep space using a Shuttle-derived heavy-lift launch vehicle (SDLV), assuming an increased budget of $3 billion per year.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: In March, the Space Shuttle is retired after delivering all the currently planned components to ISS. Soyuz space capsules, provided by international partners, provide crew transportation to ISS for the next five years.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2022: A Shuttle-Derived Heavy-Lift (SDLV) launcher becomes operational, carrying cargo only. Crews are shuttled to orbit on commercial rockets.
2023: Orion/Earth departure stage (EDS) expedition to a Lagrange point in free space.
2027: Orion/EDS expedition to rendezvous with a near-Earth object (NEO). Astronauts explore the asteroid’s surface and extract samples before returning to Earth.
2029: Orion/EDS expedition to fly by Mars. No descent to the surface or rendezvous with a Martian moon is attempted.
2030: Humans land on the Moon using a commercially developed lander and return to Earth.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: Deep Space (Commercial HLV)

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:58:31 +0000

Previous: Deep Space (Ares V “Light”)
Next: Deep Space (Shuttle Derived)

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The sixth architecture in the list is focused on exploration missions to deep space, assuming an increased budget of $3 billion per year. The committee presented two budget charts, this timeline represents the more conservative projection.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: In March, the Space Shuttle is retired after delivering all the currently planned components to ISS. Soyuz space capsules, provided by international partners, provide crew transportation to ISS for the next five years. Thousands of NASA employees are laid off over the next 3–5 years, and Kennedy Space Center is all but dismantled.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2021: Orion and a commercially-provided heavy-lift vehicle become operational. Crews are shuttled to orbit on commercial rockets.
2025: Orion/Earth departure stage (EDS) expedition to a Lagrange point in free space.
2027: Orion/EDS expedition to rendezvous with a near-Earth object (NEO). Astronauts explore the asteroid’s surface and extract samples before returning to Earth.
2028: Orion/EDS expedition to fly by Mars. No descent to the surface or rendezvous with a Martian moon is attempted.
2030: Humans land on the Moon using a commercially developed lander and return to Earth.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: Deep Space (Ares V "Light")

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:37:12 +0000

Previous: ISS/Shuttle Extension
Next: Deep Space (Commercial HLV)

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The fifth architecture in the list is focused on exploration missions to deep space, assuming an increased budget of $3 billion per year.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: In March, the Space Shuttle is retired after delivering all the currently planned components to ISS. Soyuz space capsules, provided by international partners, provide crew transportation to ISS for the next five years.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2023: Orion and the Ares V “light” heavy-lift vehicle become operational. Crews may launch aboard Ares V, or be shuttled to orbit on commercial rockets.
2025: Orion/Earth departure stage (EDS) expedition to a Lagrange point in free space.
2030: Orion/EDS expedition to rendezvous with a near-Earth object (NEO). Astronauts explore the asteroid’s surface and extract samples before returning to Earth.
2034: Orion/EDS expedition to fly by Mars. No descent to the surface or rendezvous with a Martian moon is attempted.
2035: Humans land on the Moon using a commercially developed lander and return to Earth.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: ISS/Shuttle Extension

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:51:25 +0000

Previous: ISS Focused (Increased Budget)
Next: Deep Space (Ares V “Light”)

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The fourth architecture in the list is ISS focused with additional Space Shuttle flights, assuming an increased budget of $3 billion per year. Of the options presented at the final public meeting and carried forward, this was studied in the least detail.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: Space Shuttle flights continue at a reduced pace of one or two per year, delivering crews and supplies to ISS. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2015: The Space Shuttle is retired.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2020s: A Shuttle-Derived Heavy-Lift (SDLV) launcher becomes operational, carrying cargo only.
2030s: Humans land on the Moon, spend a week on the surface, and return to Earth. Future missions may provide more mobility and equipment for longer stays.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: ISS Focused (Increased Budget)

Matt — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:27:15 +0000

Previous: ISS Focused (Constrained Budget)
Next: ISS/Shuttle Extension

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The third architecture in the list is ISS focused, with an increased budget of about $3 billion per year.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: In March, the Space Shuttle is retired after delivering all the currently planned components to ISS. Soyuz space capsules, provided by international partners, provide crew transportation to ISS for the next five years.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2023: Orion and the Ares V heavy-lift vehicle become operational. Crews may launch aboard Ares V, or be shuttled to orbit on commercial rockets. Test flights will continue for seven years.
2030: Humans land on the Moon, spend a week on the surface, and return to Earth. Future missions may provide more mobility and equipment for longer stays.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: ISS Focused (Constrained Budget)

Matt — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:32:34 +0000

Previous: Program of Record
Next: ISS Focused (Increased Budget)

The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee has drawn up several alternate architectures for NASA to pursue its mission of sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). For a more complete summary, see “Future of NASA: Program of Record“. The second architecture in the list is ISS focused, constrained to fit the projected budget. This architecture is not recommended by the committee because it does not provide for a meaningful exploration program.

2010: The first commercial cargo deliveries to the International Space Station (ISS) begin.
2011: In March, the Space Shuttle is retired after delivering all the currently planned components to ISS. Soyuz space capsules, provided by international partners, provide crew transportation to ISS for the next five years.
2016: In June, a commercial crew transportation service to ISS becomes operational. Utilization of ISS for R&D increases.
2020: ISS is retired in January. The budget provides funding for a propulsion module which will bring ISS to a controlled re-entry. Some of it will burn up in the atmosphere, the rest will be disposed of in the ocean.
2028: Orion and the Ares V heavy-lift vehicle become operational in March. Crews may launch aboard Ares V, or be shuttled to orbit on commercial rockets. Decades of investment in advanced spaceflight technology may allow for some exploration beyond LEO.

References

“Integrated Options for Human Exploration Discussion“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.
Ride, Sally; Crawley, Ed; Greason, Jeff; Behmuk, Bo. “Scenario Affordability Analysis“. Review of US Human Space Flight Plans Committee. 12 August 2009.

More in this series:

Future of NASA: The Program of Record

Results of the final public meeting

Matt — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:50:55 +0000

The final public meeting of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee was today, and it looks like they did their job extraordinarily well. They really kept their focus on the goal of extending human civilization beyond Earth, and this was reflected in all of the options they are considering. To summarize, their recommended options are: maintain ISS and give up on NASA exploration, spend a little more to explore free space, and spend a little more to explore the moon. All of these options included some common recommendations. First, they called Ares I unaffordable and redundant, and recommended dumping it. Given their findings, support for this program in the White House will undoubtedly evaporate. This is a major change from business as usual, and has stunning repercussions for NASA. Ares I was NASA’s last chance to hold on to their own crew launch capability. With its cancellation, NASA will have no alternative but to pursue commercial crew launch services to the best of their ability, which was another committee recommendation in all the options. Finally, the committee recommended a new advanced technology development program. These three recommendations together will substantially improve our ability to launch humans into space, keep them there, and send them to destinations throughout the Solar System. This was exactly the redirection I was hoping to see from this committee.

On top of the common recommendations, the Deep Space option remains on the table, which I think would further accelerate our expansion into the Solar System. Propellant depots also will appear in their report in some fashion. This, however, is not as critical. I have no confidence that NASA can develop a new heavy-lift launch vehicle, although side-mount comes close to credibility. Non-essentials such as propellant depots, landers, and in-situ resource utilization will be dropped eventually as NASA and Congress neuter the program like they did to the ISS.

Sadly, I think the option to upgrade EELVs to heavy-lift capacity is politically infeasible. President Obama might be willing to expend some political capital to increase the budget and succeed where Bush failed. There is no way he would put his neck out far enough to dismantle KSC. However, it was a welcome validation of the arguments I and many others have made over the past decade to hear that the fastest way into space is to get NASA out of the way.

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