Ares V: Enabling unprecedented payloads for Space in the 21st century

The need for a national heavy lift capability to support science, exploration, national security, and commerce has been highlighted by numerous technical and programmatic studies since the Apollo Program ended in the early 1970s. Now the Ares V cargo launch vehicle (CaLV) promises to restore and improve on the Saturn capability, providing unprecedented capability, not only for larger, heavier payloads, but also as a means of reducing risk in payload design, and increase project sustainability through design and operations efficiencies. The Ares V is part of NASA´s Constellation Program, which seeks to provide an architecture to support the International Space Station, replace the current Space Transportation System, and expand human exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). While Ares V is at an early point in its development, it benefits from significant progress on Ares I crew launch vehicle. In addition, Ares V physical design and operational concept have progressed through hundreds of iterations, largely through internal NASA analysis. NASA has reached out to potential users of a heavy-lift capability to begin a dialog that will improve vehicle/payload interactions. This paper provides an overview of the Ares V mission, development, design trades, current configuration, and implications for payload development.