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Shuttle-derived vehicles (SDV) arespace launch vehicles andspacecraft that use components, technology, and infrastructure originally developed for theSpace Shuttle program.[1]
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, NASA formally studied a cargo-only vehicle,Shuttle-C, that would have supplemented the crewed Space Shuttle. In 2005, NASA was developing theAres I andAres V launch vehicles, based in part on highly modified Shuttle components, to enable exploration of theMoon andMars.[2][3] The agency also studied a third such vehicle, theAres IV.[4]
After the earlier programs were cancelled, NASA began development of theSpace Launch System (SLS) in 2011. SLS is asuper heavy-liftexpendable launch vehicle. Its core stage is structurally and visually similar to theSpace Shuttle external tank. Each SLS launch reuses and expends four of the pre-flown RS-25D engines that were de-mounted from the Space shuttles. SLS also uses a pair ofsolid rocket boosters derived from theSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster. The first SLS was delivered to Kennedy Space Center in 2021 for theArtemis 1 mission. As of November 2022[update], this SLS was rolled out toKennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B for several attempts to launch, finally launching on 16 November 2022.[5]
SDV concepts were proposed even before the Space Shuttle itself began flying.[6]
The Shuttle-C was a study byNASA to turn theSpace Shuttle launch stack into a dedicated uncrewed cargo launcher. TheSpace Shuttle external tank andSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) would be combined with a cargo module in place of the shuttle orbiter including theRS-25 engines. Various Shuttle-C concepts were investigated between 1984 and 1995.[7][8]
The National Launch System (or New Launch System) was a study authorized in 1991 byPresident George H. W. Bush to outline alternatives to theSpace Shuttle for access to Earth orbit.[9] Shortly thereafter, NASA askedLockheed Missiles and Space,McDonnell Douglas, andTRW to perform a ten-month study.[10]
A series of launch vehicles was proposed, based around the proposed Space Transportation Main Engine (STME)liquid-fuel rocket engine. The STME was to be a simplified, expendable version of theSpace Shuttle main engine (SSME).[11][12] The NLS-1 was the largest of three proposed vehicles and would have used a modifiedSpace Shuttle external tank for its core stage. The tank would have fedliquid oxygen andliquid hydrogen to four STMEs attached to the bottom of the tank. A payload orsecond stage would have fit atop the core stage, and two detachableSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters would have been mounted on the sides of the core stage as on the Shuttle.[11] Period illustrations suggest that much larger rockets than NLS-1 were contemplated, using multiples of the NLS-1 core stage.[13][14]
One of the main goals of Constellation program was the development ofspacecraft andbooster vehicles to replace theSpace Shuttle. NASA had already begun designing two boosters, theAres I andAres V, when the program was created.[15] Ares I was designed for the sole purpose of launching mission crews into orbit, while Ares V would have been used to launch other hardware which required a heavier lift capacity than the Ares I booster provided.[16]
Ares I was the crewlaunch vehicle that was being developed byNASA as part of theConstellation program.[17] The name "Ares" refers to the Greek deityAres, who isidentified with the Roman godMars.[18] Ares I was originally known as the "Crew Launch Vehicle" (CLV).[19]
NASA planned to use Ares I to launchOrion, thespacecraft intended for NASAhuman spaceflight missions after theSpace Shuttle was retired in 2011. Ares I was to complement the larger, uncrewedAres V, which was the cargo launch vehicle for Constellation. NASA selected the Ares designs for their anticipated overall safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness.[20] However, the Constellation program, including Ares I was cancelled by U.S. presidentBarack Obama in October 2010 with the passage of his 2010 NASA authorization bill.[21]
The Ares V (formerly known as the Cargo Launch Vehicle or CaLV) was the planned cargo launch component of the cancelledNASAConstellation program, which was to have replaced theSpace Shuttle after its retirement in 2011. Ares V was also planned to carry supplies for a human presence onMars.[4] Ares V and the smallerAres I were named afterAres, the Greek god of war.[18]
The Ares V was to launch theEarth Departure Stage andAltair lunar lander for NASA's return to theMoon, which was planned for 2019.[22] It would also have served as the principal launcher for missions beyond the Earth-Moon system, including the program's ultimate goal, a crewed mission to Mars. The uncrewed Ares V would complement the smaller, andhuman-ratedAres I rocket for the launching of the 4–6 personOrion spacecraft. Both rockets, deemed safer than the then-current Space Shuttle, would have employed technologies developed for theApollo program, the Shuttle program, and theDelta IVEELV program.[20] However, the Constellation program, including Ares V was cancelled by U.S. presidentBarack Obama in October 2010 with the passage of his 2010 NASA authorization bill.
The Ares IV concept combines an Ares I upper stage on top of an Ares V.[23] Specifically, the vehicle would consist of the liquid-fueled core stage from the Ares V design, two five-segmentsolid rocket boosters, and the liquid-fueled upper stage from the Ares I, as described by NASA in January 2007. The Ares IV would be a combined 367 ft (112 m) tall and could be used to reach the Moon. Total payload capacity would be 90,420 lb (41,000 kg) to 240 miles (390 km) for direct trans-lunar injection.[24]
NASA had considered using Ares IV to evaluate high-speed "skip" reentry profiles of the Orion capsule in 2007.[25] NASA had planned flight demonstrations of Ares I and Ares V hardware in "Heavy Lift" configurations beginning in 2013. The "Heavy Lift" test flights were to test the first stage of the Ares V simultaneously with the Ares I upper stage attached on top to save both time and money. The later Heavy Lift test vehicle configurations are similar to the Ares IV vehicle.[26]
Ares V Lite was an alternative launch vehicle for NASA's Constellation program suggested by theAugustine Commission. Ares V Lite was a scaled down Ares V.[27][28] It would have used fiveRS-68 engines and two five-segment SRBs and have had a low Earth orbit payload of approximately 140 tonnes (310,000 lb).[29] If chosen, Ares V Lite would have replaced the Ares V andAres I launchers. One Ares V Lite version would have been a cargo lifter like Ares V and the second version would have carried astronauts in the Orion spacecraft.[29]
The Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) was an alternatesuper heavy-lift launch vehicle proposal for theNASAConstellation program. It was first presented to theAugustine Commission on 17 June 2009.[30]
Based on theShuttle-C concept which has been the subject of various studies since the 1980s, the HLV was a SDLV that proposed to replace the winged Orbiter from the Space Shuttle stack with a side-mounted payload carrier. TheSpace Shuttle external tank (ET) andSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) would have remained the same.
The Jupiter family ofsuper heavy-lift launch vehicles was part of the proposedDIRECT Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle architecture. It was intended to be the alternative to theAres I andAres V rockets.[31]
Major benefits were projected from re-using as much hardware and facilities from theSpace Shuttle program as possible, including cost savings, experience with existing hardware, and preserving the workforce.[31]
The Space Launch System (SLS) is a U.S.super heavy-liftexpendable launch vehicle, which is used in theArtemis program. It is very similar in design to the NLS-1 concept. It is the primary launch vehicle ofNASA's deep space exploration plans,[32][33] including the planned crewed lunar flights of theArtemis program and a possible follow-onhuman mission to Mars.[34][35][36] Its first launch,Artemis 1, flew on 16 November 2022.[37]
Liberty was a 2011launch vehicle concept proposed byAlliant Techsystems (ATK) andAstrium for phase 2 of theNASACommercial Crew Development (CCDev) program intended to stimulate development of privately operatedcrewvehicles tolow Earth orbit.
Similar to the defunctAres I project, which consisted of a five segmentSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) and a new cryogenic second stage, Liberty would combine a five-segment SRB with the core stage of the EuropeanAriane 5 as asecond stage.[38][39]
