Ares V: Application to Solar System Scientific Exploration

摘要

A wide range of science missions could be launched by Ares V that would not be possible otherwise. Ares V capability is expected to open up lunar, Mars, near Earth and solar system missions for heavy payloads, and might even enable reasonable sample return missions from the far reaches of the solar system. Furthermore, Ares V, configured with an upper stage, could enable vastly more capable missions that could bring the search for habitability at far reaches of the solar system much closer. To make maximum use of this capability, design requirements specific to challenging solar system exploration missions must be identified for consideration during Ares V development. Follow-on studies should be considered to examine in detail the capability of the Ares V vehicle to enable large, complex solar system exploration missions, the results of which will be valuable to NASA s programs for both human and robotic exploration.