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NASA Crew Launch Vehicle Flight Test OptionsOptions for development flight testing (DFT) of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) are discussed. The Ares-I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) is being developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to launch the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) into low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Ares-I implements one of the components of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), providing crew and cargo access to the International Space Station (ISS) after retirement of the Space Shuttle and, eventually, forming part of the launch capability needed for lunar exploration. The role of development flight testing is to demonstrate key sub-systems, address key technical risks, and provide flight data to validate engineering models in representative flight environments. This is distinguished from certification flight testing, which is designed to formally validate system functionality and achieve flight readiness. Lessons learned from Saturn V, Space Shuttle, and other flight programs are examined along with key Ares-I technical risks in order to provide insight into possible development flight test strategies. A strategy for the first test flight of the Ares I, known as Ares I-1, is presented.
Document ID
20060051840
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Cockrell, Charles E., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Davis, Stephan R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Robonson, Kimberly
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Tuma, Margaret L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Sullivan, Greg
(GPS Solutions, Inc. Reno, NV, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Launch Vehicles And Launch Operations
Meeting Information
Meeting: 57th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2006)
Location: Valencia
Country: Spain
Start Date: October 2, 2006
End Date: October 6, 2006
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 905-02-04-04-08
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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