Ares V
30" x 24" 360 ppi Digital Painting (2006)
© Northrop Grumman

 

 

The Ares V is scheduled to be operational in 2018. It will be capable of delivering 300,000 pounds to low Earth orbit, more payload than any launch system ever built. Two ATK five-segment solid rocket boosters (each capable of generating 3.5 million pounds of maximum thrust) and five RS-68 engines will provide first-stage propulsion. Because Ares V will share major propulsion elements with today's Space Shuttle and its successor, Ares I, reliability will be significantly increased and development costs reduced.


Artist's Note: The caption reflects the 2007 timeframe. NASA's Constellation program was cancelled by the Obama admistration in October 2010.

  
Many of the Northrop Grumman paintings are available as high quality prints through Northrop Grumman. While not normally available to the general public, the prints are available to military units, aerospace organizations and industry representatives. Reproduced with permission of Northop Grumman. Unauthorized use of this image is strictly forbidden.