billvon 3,120 #1 October 25, 2009 The first new US spacecraft in decades is going to make its first flight next week. The Ares program is the next generation of US spacecraft, intended to replace the Space Shuttle when it retires. There are a lot of variants, but the two most important ones are the Ares I and the Ares V, both part of the Constellation program. The Ares I is basically a single Shuttle SRB with a liquid fuel second stage and an Apollo-type crew capsule. The Ares V is a heavy lift cargo vehicle that can lift almost 200 tons to low earth orbit, using two SRB's and a new core booster. (Shuttle can carry 24 tons and the Saturn V could carry 120 tons.) A dual launch of an Ares I and Ares V could easily loft a lunar exploration mission; one Ares I and two Ares V's could launch a Mars mission. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #2 October 25, 2009 WTF happened to 2,3,4 ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #3 October 25, 2009 QuoteThe Ares V is a heavy lift cargo vehicle that can lift almost 200 tons to low earth orbit, using two SRB's and a new core booster. Is the fuel part of that 200 tons? Even so, that's a pretty impressive increase over the Saturn V!When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #4 October 25, 2009 QuoteWTF happened to 2,3,4 ? Considering that the Saturn rockets were numbered 1 and 5, I'm not surprised at the Ares numbering scheme."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #5 October 25, 2009 >WTF happened to 2,3,4 Different variants that were not pursued. Ares IV, for example, used the larger first stage booster and the Ares I upper stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #6 October 25, 2009 >Is the fuel part of that 200 tons? ?? Not sure what you mean. The vehicle can deliver 200 tons (188 tons actually) to low earth orbit, and that mass can consist of fuel, spacecraft, supplies etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #7 October 25, 2009 So from what I can tell, NASA is returning to the old parachute-splash landing in the ocean?"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #8 October 25, 2009 Quote Is the fuel part of that 200 tons? Even so, that's a pretty impressive increase over the Saturn V! Nope. that's 200 tons of payload. Notice that we can put 25 tons of payload into low Earth orbit just by using the Ares I, with it's single solid booster and liquid fuel upper stage, compared to the Shuttle's 24 tons. Although the shuttle was an impressive piece of engineering, it never lived up to its promise to be the cost effective, highly reliable space truck it was supposed to be. I think we've made some progress by taking a small step backwards to using capsules for people again. Another smart thing is to do your heavy lifting with the cheaper, non-man rated Ares V. Not being man rated will help keep many costs down. Are they going to reuse the Orion capsules? Seems like another good way to keep costs down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #9 October 25, 2009 Quote >Is the fuel part of that 200 tons? ?? Not sure what you mean. The vehicle can deliver 200 tons (188 tons actually) to low earth orbit, and that mass can consist of fuel, spacecraft, supplies etc. Actually, 188 tonnes or 414,000 pounds=207 tons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #10 October 25, 2009 Quote Are they going to reuse the Orion capsules? Seems like another good way to keep costs down. 10 uses per capsule is that I found in several Wikipedia articles."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidB 0 #11 October 25, 2009 Da-a-a-a-a-a-amn...! Yes, I was wondering if that was Gross or Net numbers. Thanx, John. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #12 October 25, 2009 The Ares would not be the best choice for a Mars mission. Using another type could allow a Mars Mission be completed with just four weeks travel time. Of course it would take some of that cash Obama wants to spend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #13 October 25, 2009 http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/on_demand_video.html?param=http://anon.nasa-global.edgesuite.net/anon.nasa-global/MARSHALL/FinalShort.asx&_id=195480&_title=Success%21%20Ares%20I%20Parachute%20Test&_tnimage=350056main_AresI_main_cluster_chute_test_Yuma_226.jpg Interesting vidsPlease don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #14 October 25, 2009 Yep, at my work the other day..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 October 25, 2009 Sort of a really bad cross between "Over The Top" and "Space Cowboys." Makes me want to arm wrestle and old astronaut. I guess I'll have to settle for a rocket scientist. I wonder if Wendy is busy... --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #16 October 25, 2009 Yeah I hear ya, plus we all got a kick out of the contractors big rig that rolled in! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #17 October 26, 2009 Venturestar would've been cooler Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #18 October 27, 2009 Blast off in a few minutes folks. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=public Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #19 October 27, 2009 They are having some WX issues at the moment. I think they should have at least put Ham's great grandson in the nose cone. But in consideration of modern times PETA would have a cow! Just heard they are cleared to launch! Small WX window though! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #20 October 27, 2009 Wind hold. Wind @ 21 knots . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #21 October 27, 2009 Scrubbed . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #22 October 27, 2009 Quote I think they should have at least put Ham's great grandson in the nose cone. But in consideration of modern times PETA would have a cow! With that Upper Stage Simulator creaming into the ocean at several hundred knots, I'll bet that monkey would be screaming. Maybe not as good as a monkey, but there is a "Them ToadSuckers" CRW sticker on the inside of the nosecone on the Ares 1-X. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #23 October 27, 2009 Quote Quote I think they should have at least put Ham's great grandson in the nose cone. But in consideration of modern times PETA would have a cow! With that Upper Stage Simulator creaming into the ocean at several hundred knots, I'll bet that monkey would be screaming. Maybe not as good as a monkey, but there is a "Them ToadSuckers" CRW sticker on the inside of the nosecone on the Ares 1-X. Kevin K. 104% Kewl!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #24 October 16, 2010 Okay... a little late, but still cool... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJOTyWBGnU Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #25 October 16, 2010 Wonder how much they charge to repack that motherfucker."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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