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Ares IAres VLunar MissionArchitecture BenefitsData SheetsMyth Busters
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Myth BustersAres IVThe Ares IV launch vehicle is the third in a series of proposed heavy-lift space launch vehicles that will support Project Constellation, the United States' current program of manned space exploration. As described by NASA in January, 2007, the 113m (367ft) vehicle would consist of the liquid-fueled core stage from the Ares V heavy lift launch vehicle (LV) design, two five-segment solid rocket boosters, and the liquid-fueled upper stage from the Ares I LV. NASA stated that the Ares IV was being considered as a way to fly crewed lunar-orbit-only missions earlier to provide "shakeout" testing of the Orion crew exploration vehicle, and to evaluate high-speed "skip" reentry profiles of the Orion capsule. The Ares IV might also be useful beyond these early roles. The vehicle would be capable of launching either the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) or the Block 2 lunar mission Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV) into a direct lunar trajectory. After two Ares IV launches, one for the manned Orion spacecraft and one for the unmanned LSAM lander, the Orion and LSAM vehicles would rendezvous and dock in lunar orbit. This would be in contrast to the mission scenario for Ares I and Ares V, in which the crewed Orion and empty LSAM would rendezvous and dock in Earth orbit, then depart for the Moon. References
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