Constellation Program Overview
Mark GeyerConstellation Program Office
October 2006
October 2006
A Bold Vision for Space Exploration, Authorized by
CongressComplete the International Space StationSafely fly the
Space Shuttle until 2010Develop and fly the Crew Exploration
Vehicle no later than 2014Return to the Moon no later than
2020Extend human presence across the solar system and
beyondImplement a sustained and affordable human and robotic
programDevelop supporting innovative technologies, knowledge, and
infrastructuresPromote international and commercial participation
in explorationThe 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.NASA Authorization Act
of 2005
October 2006
Exploration Strategy ThemesUse the Moon to prepare for future
human and robotic missions to Mars and other destinationsPursue
scientific activities to address fundamental questions about the
solar system, the universe, and our place in themExtend sustained
human presence to the moon to enable eventual settlementExpand
Earths economic sphere to encompass the Moon and pursue lunar
activities with direct benefits to life on EarthStrengthen existing
and create new global partnershipsEngage, inspire, and educate the
public
October 2006
Whats the value of exploration?
Humans explore because it conveys an evolutionary
advantageexploration broadens experience and imagination,
permitting better prediction of the future, ensuring better odds
for survivalcuriosity and its satisfaction is intellectually and
emotionally satisfyingExploration improves our ability to solve
problemsincreased imagination and knowledge base permits
recognition of innovative approaches and solutionshelps focus
energies on posing the right questions, or, questions that can be
addressed and answeredExploration excites and inspires the
creative, productive segments of societypermits intellectual
connections and relations that might not otherwise occur (the
ah-ha! syndrome)Frontiers are unknown, mysterious places that
stimulate imagination
Paul D. Spudis Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics
Laboratory, Space Soon Conference, 2006
October 2006
NASAs Exploration
Roadmap050607080910111213141516171819202122232425 Lunar Lander
Development Lunar Heavy Launch DevelopmentEarth Departure Stage
DevelopmentSurface Systems DevelopmentCEV DevelopmentCrew Launch
DevelopmentCommercial Crew/Cargo for ISS Space Shuttle OpsLunar
Outpost BuildupInitial CEV CapabilityCEV Production and Operations
Lunar Robotic MissionsScience Robotic MissionsMars Expedition
Design1st Human CEV Flight7th Human Lunar LandingEarly Design
ActivityEarly Design ActivityCSSS EVASortie DevelopmentCEV/ISS
DevelopmentCSS Operations
October 2006
Components of Program ConstellationHeavy LiftLaunch VehicleCrew
Launch VehicleEarth DepartureStageOrion - Crew Exploration
VehicleLunar Lander
October 2006
Orion is Capable of Supporting Space Station MissionsTransport
up to 6 crew members on Orion for crew rotation210 day stay
timeEmergency lifeboat for entire ISS crewDeliver pressurized cargo
for ISS resupply
October 2006
Orion System ElementsSpacecraft Adapter structural transition to
launch vehicleOrion consists of four functional modulesLaunch Abort
System -- emergency escape during launchCrew Module crew and cargo
transportService Module propulsion, electrical power, fluids
storage
October 2006
Ares I - Crew Launch VehicleServes as the long term crew launch
capability for the U.S.5 Segment Shuttle Solid Rocket BoosterNew
liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen upperstage J2X engineLarge payload
capability
October 2006
Ares V Heavy Cargo Launch Vehicle5 Segment Shuttle Solid Rocket
BoostersLiquid Oxygen / liquid hydrogen core stage Heritage from
the Shuttle External Tank RS68 Main EnginesPayload Capability106
metric tons to low Earth orbit 125 Metric tons to low Earth orbit
using Earth departure stage55 metric tons trans-lunar injection
capability using Earth departure stageCan be certified for crew if
needed
October 2006
Building on a Foundation of Proven Technologies- Launch Vehicle
Comparisons -CrewLanderS-IVB(1 J-2 engine)240k lb Lox/LH2S-II(5 J-2
engines)1M lb LOx/LH2 S-IC(5 F-1)3.9M lb LOx/RPLunarLanderEarth
DepartureStage (EDS) (1 J-2X)499k lb LOx/LH2Core Stage(5 RS-68
Engines)3.1M lb LOx/LH2Upper Stage(1 J-2X)280k lb LOx/LH25-Segment
Reusable Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB)Space ShuttleAres IAres VSaturn
VHeight: 184.2 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 4.5M lb
55k lbm to LEOHeight: 321 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 2.0M lb
48k lbm to LEOHeight: 358 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 7.3M lb
117k lbm to TLI144k lbm to TLI in Dual-Launch Mode with Ares
I290k lbm to LEOHeight: 364 ftGross Liftoff Mass: 6.5M lb
99k lbm to TLI262k lbm to LEO5-Segment2 RSRBs
October 2006
Integrated Flight Test Strategy Baseline
PlanAA-1TransonicAbortWSMR1/121/107/091/117/104/12PA-2WSMRAA-2Max
qAbortWSMRAA-3TumbleAbortWSMR4/0910/094/1010/104/117/1110/117/1210/121/13AresI-1/1R
Pad Access Window4/147/1410/144/137/1310/131/149/08PMR Rev #1Ares
2OFT-1OFT-2FHLAA-4High AltitudeWSMRAres 1PA-1WSMR
October 2006
EVA Suit Strategy2014/122018/1520232030+CEV to ISSLunar
SortieLunar OutpostMarsLEA capability for all crewed CEV
missionsZero-G capability for all crewed CEV missionsSurface EVA
capability for planetary exploration
October 2006
Lunar LanderTransports 4 crew to and from the surface Seven days
on the surfaceLunar outpost crew rotationGlobal access
capabilityAnytime return to EarthCapability to land 20 metric tons
of dedicated cargo Airlock for surface activitiesDescent
stage:Liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen propulsionAscent
stage:Storable Propellants
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Constellation Work Locations
October 2006
Thank you!
October 2006
Typical Lunar Reference MissionAscent Stage ExpendedEDS,
LSAMCEVLSAM Performs LOI100 km Low Lunar OrbitVehicles are not to
scale.Low Earth OrbitService Module ExpendedMOONEARTHDirect
EntryLand LandingEarth Departure Stage Expended
October 2006
Ares Launch Vehicle ElementsAres IAres V117k lbm to TLI144k lbm
to TLI in Dual-Launch Mode with Ares I290k lbm to LEOComposite
ShroudEarth Departure StageLOx/LH21 J-2X EngineAl-Li
Tanks/StructuresCore Stage LOx/LH2 5 RS-68 Engines Al-Li
Tanks/Structures5-Segment 2 RSRBsLunar Surface Access Module
(LSAM)InterstageLASCrew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)(Crew Module /
Service Module)Spacecraft AdapterInstrument UnitForward SkirtUpper
StageJ-2X Upper Stage EngineInterstageForward FrustumFirst
Stage(5-Segment RSRB)48k lbm to LEO
Themes Provide the high level rationale for exploring the
MoonProvide a framework for capturing the many objectives across
multiple disciplinesDivided into two types core and
crosscuttingCore themes address the primary reasons for conducting
activities on the MoonCrosscutting themes address ways to maximize
the benefit of the core themes USE THE MOON: Reduce risks and cost
and increase productivity of future missions by testing
technologies, systems, and operations in a planetary environment
other than the EarthPURSUE SCIENTIFIC: Engage in scientific
investigations Of the Moon (solar system processes), On the Moon
(use the unique environment), and From the Moon (to study other
celestial phenomena)EXTEND PERMANENT HUMAN PRESENCE: Develop the
capabilities and infrastructure required to expand the number of
people, the duration, the self-sufficiency, and the degree of
non-governmental activityEXPAND EARTHS ECONOMIC SPHERE: Create new
markets based on lunar and cis-lunar activity that will return
economic, technological, and quality-of-life benefitsENHANCE GLOBAL
SECURTIY: Provide a challenging, shared, and peaceful global vision
that unites nations in pursuit of common objectivesENGAGE, INSPIRE:
Excite the public about space, encourage students to pursue careers
in high technology fields, ensure that individuals enter the
workforce with the scientific and technical knowledge necessary to
sustain exploration
Need to add a bar for Constellation Space Suit System just below
the Crew Launch Production and Operations line. Bar should have
three sections/colors CEV to ISS Development starting now and
ending in 2012, Lunar Sortie Development in the next block starting
in 08 and ending in 18 and CSS Operations 2012 thru 2018.Add a note
that says CEV contract award NLT 9/8/06 probably just below the
Crew Launch Development bar.
