Constellation Overview 5 2007 REV07

Slide1 : The Return to Space Exploration Constellation


Slide2 : NASA Authorization Act of 2005 The Administrator shall establish a program to develop a sustained human presence on the moon, including a robust precursor program to promote exploration, science, commerce and U.S. preeminence in space, and as a stepping stone to future exploration of Mars and other destinations.


Slide3 : Complete the International Space Station Safely fly the space shuttle until 2010 Develop and fly the Orion crew exploration vehicle no later than 2015 Return to the moon no later than 2020 Extend human presence across the solar system and beyond Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program Develop supporting innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures Promote international and commercial participation in exploration


Slide4 : The Constellation Program The space transportation system for a new generation of explorers


Slide6 : The safest, most reliable and most affordable means of meeting mission requirements is a system derived from proven components - Builds on heritage from Apollo, space shuttle, commercial launch vehicles - Capitalizes on human rated systems and existing facilities - The most straightforward growth path to later exploration launch needs


Slide7 : Serves as the long term crew launch capability for the U.S. 5 segment shuttle-derived solid rocket booster New liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen upper stage using J-2X engine Launch Abort System increases crew safety Launch Abort System Orion (crew module / service module) Upper Stage Interstage First Stage (5 segment Solid Rocket Booster) J-2X Engine


Slide8 : Composite Shroud Lunar Lander Earth Departure Stage (EDS) Interstage Core Stage (5 Segment 2 Solid Rocket Boosters) J-2X Engine Two 5-segment solid rocket boosters Liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen core stage - Heritage from the Shuttle External Tank - Commercial heritage RS-68 main engines Payload capability: - 106 metric tons to low Earth orbit - 131 Metric tons to low Earth orbit using Earth Departure Stage - 53 metric tons trans-lunar injection capability using Earth Departure Stage Can be certified for crew if needed


Slide9 : Space Shuttle Ares I Ares V Saturn V Height: 56m Gross Liftoff Mass: 2040Mt 25Mt to LEO Height: 98m Gross Liftoff Mass: 910Mt 22Mt to LEO Height: 109m Gross Liftoff Mass: 3310Mt 53Mt to TLI 65Mt to TLI in Dual- Launch Mode with Ares I 131Mt to LEO Height: 111m Gross Liftoff Mass: 2950Mt 45Mt to TLI 119Mt to LEO Upper Stage (1 J-2X) 127Mt LOx/LH2 Lunar Lander Earth Departure Stage (EDS) (1 J-2X) 226Mt lb LOx/LH2 Core Stage (5 RS-68 Engines) 1410Mt LOx/LH2 5-Segment 2 RSRB’s Crew Lander S-IVB (1 J-2 engine) 110Mt Lox/LH2 S-II (5 J-2 engines) 450Mt LOx/LH2 S-IC (5 F-1) 1770Mt LOx/RP


Slide10 : Designed to operate for up to 210 days in Earth or lunar orbit Separate crew and service modules Vehicle designed for lunar mission with 4 crewmembers Can accommodate up to 6 crewmembers for Mars and space station missions Potential to deliver pressurized and unpressurized cargo to space station Orion will support both moon and space station missions


Slide11 : Using proven shape saves development time Shape also minimizes reentry loads and provides landing stability Orion capsule has twice the internal volume of Apollo Orion has more windows for better crew visibility Physics haven’t changed since Apollo, so blunt-body shape is still effective


Slide12 : Transport up to 6 crewmembers on Orion for crew rotation 210 day stay time Emergency lifeboat for entire ISS crew Deliver pressurized cargo for ISS resupply


Slide13 : Transport 4 crewmembers to and from the surface - Visits start with 7 days on surface - Length of stays increases step-by-step - Builds up to 6 month lunar outpost crew rotations Global access capability Return to Earth anytime Deliver 20 metric tons of dedicated cargo Provide airlock for surface activities Descent stage: - Liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen propulsion Ascent stage: - Storable propellants


Slide14 : Typical Moon Mission Animation


Slide16 : MOON EARTH Vehicles are not to scale 100 km Low Lunar Orbit Low Earth Orbit Lunar Lander Performs Lunar Orbit Insertion Earth Departure Stage (EDS) Expended Service Module Expended Ascent Stage Expended Direct Entry Landing EDS, Lunar Lander Orion


Slide18 : Near Side Far Side Aristarchus Plateau Rima Bode Mare Tranquillitatis Mare Smythii Oceanus Procellarum Central Farside Highlands South Pole – Aitken Basin Floor Orientale Basin Floor North Pole South Pole 1 3 6 5 7 9 13 17 3 21 24 20 16 12 14 16 11 17 15


Slide19 : The lunar South Pole is a likely candidate for an outpost site Several areas with greater than 80% sunlight and less extreme temperature swings Elevated quantities of hydrogen, possibly water ice in permanently shadowed craters Step-by-step outpost construction: - Power system - Communications/navigation - Habitat - Rovers


Slide20 : Regaining and extending operational experience in a hostile planetary environment Developing capabilities needed for opening the space frontier Preparing for human exploration of Mars Science operations and discovery