NASAs New CEV Launcher to Maximize Use of Space Shuttle Components

Posted on: Aug. 1st, 2005 || Source: spaceref.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

NASAs New CEV Launcher to Maximize Use of Space Shuttle Components

The decision on what new launch vehicles NASA plans to use in the coming decades is rapidly coming into focus. In some ways these launchers will be new - yet they will also look very familiar using hardware and concepts that have long and well-established flight histories.

Analysts have reviewed a wide variety of launch vehicle options for both manned and cargo-only versions of the NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and have settled for an all-solid booster configuration, according to sources close to NASA's Exploration Systems Architecture Study (aka the "60 Day Study")

But a year-long study initiated prior to the change in NASA Administrators and completed this spring gave an extensive review to both uses of a launch vehicle derived from the Space Shuttle's Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) as well as a larger booster design using twin SRB motors flanking a derivative of the shuttle's External Tank (ET), mated with a large liquid upper stage. Studies also looked at growth options from the nation's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) community.

Internal NASA documents detailing the review, which was completed in late June, were obtained by the authors. A second, related study has reviewed heavy lift options using the same shuttle-derived elements.

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