ROCKETS & LAUNCH VEHICLES A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Ares Ares V (left) and Ares I rockets NASA's new launch vehicles that will support human space exploration beyond 2012. They will replace the Space Shuttle, ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station, return them to the Moon, and later help take them to Mars and other destinations. Ares is the Roman name for Mars. The Ares I rocket will launch the manned Orion spacecraft. The larger and more powerful Ares V will launch cargo, including components needed for future lunar missions. The "I" and "V" designations pay homage to the Apollo program's Saturn I and Saturn V rockets, the first large U.S. space vehicles conceived and developed specifically for human spaceflight. Both Ares rockets are based extensively on Space Shuttle technology. Ares I The Ares I uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, derived from the Space Shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. A liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen J-2X engine derived from the J-2 engine used on Apollo's second stage will power the second stage. The Ares I will stand 309 feet (93 m) high, have a gross liftoff mass of 2 million pounds (900 metric tons), and be able to place a payload of more than 55,000 pounds (about 25 metric tons) into low Earth orbit. It is set to make its first flight in 2009. Ares V The Ares V, a heavy lift launch vehicle, will use five RS-68 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines mounted below a larger version of the Space Shuttle's external tank, and two five-segment solid propellant rocket boosters for the first stage. The upper stage will use the same J-2X engine as the Ares I. The Ares V will be able to place more than 286,000 pounds into low Earth orbit and stands approximately 360 feet tall. This versatile system will be used to carry cargo and the components into orbit needed to go to the Moon and later to Mars. Related category    • ROCKETS, MISSILES, AND LAUNCH VEHICLES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP