8-25-08 draft 59th International Astronautical Congress IAC-08-A5.3.6 ARES V AND FUTURE VERY LARGE LAUNCH VEHICLES TO ENABLE MAJOR ASTRONOMICAL MISSIONS Harley A. Thronson Astrophysics Science Division NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
[email protected] Daniel F. Lester Department of Astronomy University of Texas
[email protected] Stephanie R. Langhoff Chief Scientist NASA Ames Research Center
[email protected] Randy Correll Ball AeroSpace
[email protected] H. Philip Stahl NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
[email protected] 1 8-25-08 draft ABSTRACT The current NASA architecture intended to return humans to the lunar surface includes the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, which is planned to be available within a decade. The capabilities designed for Ares V would permit an 8.8-m diameter, 55 mT payload to be carried to Sun-Earth L1,2 locations. That is, this vehicle could launch very large optical systems to achieve major scientific goals that would otherwise be very difficult. For example, an 8-m monolith UV/visual/IR telescope appears able to be launched to a Sun-Earth L2 location. Even larger apertures that are deployed or assembled seem possible. Alternatively, multiple elements of a spatial array or two or three astronomical observatories might be launched simultaneously. Over the years, scientists and engineers have been evaluating concepts for astronomical observatories that use future large launch vehicles. In this presentation, we report on results of a recent workshop held at NASA Ames Research Center that have improved understanding of the science goals that can be achieved using Ares V.