Growing the First Stage of the Ares Launch Vehicles

In accordance with the U.S. Vision for Space Exploration, NASA has been tasked to send human beings to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The Firs t Stage of NASA's new Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, which will loft the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle into low-Earth orbit early next decade, will consist of a Space Shuttle-derived five-segment Reusable Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB); a pair of similar RSRBs also will be used on the Ares V cargo launch vehicle. This paper will discuss the basis for choosing the First Stage propulsion system; describe the activities the Exploration Launch Projects (ELP) Office is conducting to develop the First Stage; and offer a preview of future development activities including the Ares I-X test flight planned for 2009.