Re: Man-Rating Atlas V


Will McLean wrote:
lou@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Will McLean wrote:

Nor are the changes for the CEV version *that* minor. Besides the
changes you mention, NASA believes it needs a higher thrust upper
stage, probably with more RL-10 engines. And the three core
configuration, which Atlas has never built.

No, the Atlas that is proposed to be man-rated is the 401 varient, with
just one core engine, a single centaur, and no solids. See
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/13344.pdf
where this is very explicit.

Which is probably adequate for a LEO ferry, but not for the CEV, which
has an explicit requirement of being roomy enough for the longer lunar
mission and having enough delta-v to come back from lunar orbit.

Not enough for THE CEV, but perhaps enough to orbit a vehicle around
the moon and bring the crew back safely.

See http://www.astronautix.com/craft/cev.htm for a damnation of the
overweight CEV.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Man-Rating Atlas V
    ... Nor are the changes for the CEV version *that* minor. ... which Atlas has never built. ... has an explicit requirement of being roomy enough for the longer lunar ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: lifting body / winged CEV
    ... If CEVLV is tailored for Low Earth Orbit CEV missions, then if seems likely that a Spiral 2 CEV would be launched separately from the LSAM/EDS components, to perform an Earth Orbit Rendezvous type mission. ... Spirals will be structured based on ... The CEV provides crew habitation from launch to lunar orbit and return ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
  • Re: Why is the CEV so heavy?
    ... >> And the Apollo CSM was a thirty-ton spacecraft that could carry three ... lunar orbit and put it on an earth return trajectory. ... capability does the CEV need? ... don't really need the CEV's propulsion system to be capable of braking the ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Question about CEV and CLV
    ... >> Will it be possible to put the CEV in lunar orbit, ... > 3.5 tonnes into lunar orbit, ... The latter mass would ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)