A CaLV question

[lampblack]

We have all read that the CaLV as originally proposed -- using engines based on the shuttle's main engine -- was expected to lift 125 metric tons to low earth orbit.<br /><br />I haven't seen a similar specific number for the CaLV as currently planned -- using five RS-68 engines.<br /><br />Have I simply missed it? Has anything been published explaining how much that bad boy will haul to orbit? And how <i>does</i> that compare with the old Saturn V?<br /><br />Are there any apples-to-apple comparisons floating around with real numbers? Any insight that anyone could offer would be much appreciated. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[crix]

Here's some info:<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_V#Successors

 

[soyuztma]

Around 130 mT.<br />http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/146764main_CLV_CaLV_Description.pdf <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[radarredux]

> <i>http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/146764main_CLV_CaLV_Description.pdf </i><br /><br />Thanks! Those were a nice, concise pair of slides showing the CLV and CaLV elements.<br /><br />Anyone know if NASA is going to start using the names "Ares I" and "Ares V" instead of "CLV" and "CaLV"? It would certainly remind people that Mars is still on the agenda.

 

[nacnud]

The Ares names were offical as of Friday. See the press conferance exploration up date.

 

[barrykirk]

Nice pics.<br /><br />At first glance it appeared that their were 4 SRB's.<br /><br />When I zoomed it in and got a better look I saw 2 SRB's,<br />but the bottom looked strange in that their is a flared<br />section right above the nozzle. What is that?

 

[lampblack]

<font color="yellow">Around 130 mT. </font><br /><br />Thank you kindly. That is precisely the number I was hoping somebody would provide -- for some reason, I simply hadn't been able to find it anywhere. (And that is a way cool link that you shared.)<br /><br />So according to a chart in the Wikipedia link, the full-blown Saturn V with all three stages working could heft 118,000 kg to low earth orbit. That's 259,600 pounds. And 259,600 pounds (with one metric ton equalling 2,205 pounds) translates into 117.75 metric tons. (Somebody please let me know if I'm screwing up the arithmetic.)<br /><br />So the new Ares V will actually be capable of lifting more mass to low earth orbit than the old Saturn V -- an additional 12.25 metric tons, give or take.<br /><br />If things work out as currently planned (which admittedly is a huge if), NASA will end up with a less expensive and more capable heavy-lifter than the Saturn V.<br /><br />To the moon Alice! To the moon! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[lampblack]

I just realized that I have outed myself as an ugly American. Anywhere else in the world, folks would have converted directly from kilograms to metric tons.<br /><br />A metric ton equals 1,000 kilograms. Duh! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <br /><br />Doing the calculation the straight-forward way makes the Saturn V capable of hauling 118 metric tons to LEO.<br /><br /><i>(edited to add the sentence immediately above)</i> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">The Ares names were offical as of Friday. See the press conferance exploration up date.</font>/i><br /><br />From the web page:<br />http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/spacecraft/ares_naming.html<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>"It's appropriate that we named these vehicles Ares, which is a pseudonym for Mars," said Scott Horowitz, associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, Washington. "We honor the past with the number designations and salute the future with a name that resonates with NASA's exploration mission." <br /><br />The "I and V" designations pay homage to the Apollo program's Saturn I and Saturn V rockets, the first large U.S. space vehicles conceived and developed specifically for human spaceflight.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />My "Duh" moment. <img src="/images/icons/blush.gif" /></i>

 

[publiusr]

I just want it under contract .