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| We have
decided to use the newly designed Ares V Rocket launch vehicle.
The Ares V is a 5-segment solid rocket booster. The rocket is
113 m tall, which is slightly taller than the Saturn V of Apollo
history fame. The use of this rocket enables us to launch our
lunar rover to the Moon in one launch without the use of a CEV (Crew
Exploration Vehicle.)
[3] During the launch of an Ares V, the solid rocket boosters send the vehicle into low-Earth orbit. These booster rockets are reusable for future missions. Once in orbit, the J-2X engine takes over for circular orbit around the Earth. Once the ship is in place for lunar approach, the "Earth Departure Stage" fires its engines and escapes the Earth's gravity and heads on to the moon. This section is later released from the Moon-bound rocket. Once in orbit around the Moon, the Lunar Surface Access Module will automatically descend to the Moon's surface. [4] In addition to being a powerful rocket, capable of transporting cargo up to 143,000 pounds, the rocket can also be equipped with a CEV (Crew Exploration Vehicle) for manned exploration. |
