Budgets Set for Ares IV Lunar Launch Vehicle
NASA is budgeting for the development of a more powerful “Ares IV” crew launch vehicle (CLV) that could be test-flown in the second quarter of 2017, Flight International can exclusively reveal.
The proposed Ares IV would use the core stage from the Ares V heavylift launcher, two five-segment solid rocket boosters and the upper stage from the Ares I CLV to launch the Block 2 lunar mission Orion crew exploration vehicle. The 113m (367ft)-tall Ares IV would be capable of launching 41,100kg (90,420lb) to 240km (385 miles), with maximum g during ascent of 4.92 and core, upper stage separation at 327s, for direct trans-lunar injection. Read more
