Ares (ESAS)

Ares is a name of a family of STS-derived launch vehicles, currently under development for NASA. The family consist of two different launchers, the Ares I and the Ares V.

Ares I

The Ares I CLV (Crew launch vehicle) is a heavy launch vehicle design for carrying the CEV into LEO. Its first stage is a five segment SRB, like used for the Ares V, creating up to 16 MN thrust at liftoff. The second stage is currently under development and will be a cryogen stage with two J-2X engines.

Ares V

The Ares V CaLV (Cargo launch vehicle) is a heavy launch vehicle design for launching up to 125 tons into LEO or 45 tons to the moon (not including a docked CEV).

It consists of two and a half stages, two five segment SRBs with a cryogen sustainer stage and a cryogen second stage. The sustainer stage uses five expendable SSMEs, while the second stage uses a single J-2X. It will most likely launch from a modified LC 39 from KSC.

See also: ESAS Exploration Systems Architecture Study

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