Ares I
Ares I launch | |
| Function | Human-rated orbital launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alliant Techsystems (Stage I) Boeing (Stage II) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Project cost | at least US$ 6 billion[1] |
| Size | |
| Height | 94 meters (308 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.5 meters (18 ft) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 25,400 kg (56,000 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Followed by Liberty, would have complemented the cargo Ares V |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Cancelled as of October 2010 |
| Launch sites | would have launched from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B |
| Total launches | 1 (prototype) |
| First flight | October 2009 (Prototype) |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 15,000 kN (3,400,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | ≈150 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 J-2X |
| Maximum thrust | 1,308 kN (294,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | ≈800 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
Ares I was the crew launch vehicle that was being developed by NASA as part of the Constellation program.[2] The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deity Ares, who is identified with the Roman god Mars.[3] Ares I was originally known as the "Crew Launch Vehicle" (CLV).[4]
NASA planned to use Ares I to launch Orion, the spacecraft intended for NASA human spaceflight missions after the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011. Ares I was to complement the larger, uncrewed Ares V, which was the cargo launch vehicle for Constellation. NASA selected the Ares designs for their anticipated overall safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness.[5] However, the Constellation program, including Ares I, was cancelled by U.S. president Barack Obama in October 2010 with the passage of his 2010 NASA authorization bill. In September 2011, NASA detailed the Space Launch System as its new vehicle for human exploration beyond Earth's orbit.[6]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
spmswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Boen, Brooke (July 24, 2009). "NASA–Ares Launch Vehicles". NASA. Archived from the original on July 20, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
- ^ "NASA chooses names for future launchers". New Scientist. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ Dunbar, Brian; Wilson, Jim (November 23, 2007). "Building NASA's New Spacecraft: Constellation Work Assignments". NASA. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- ^ "NASA – Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle". NASA. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
- ^ Boen, Brooke (June 6, 2013). "NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System". NASA.