Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "{{Infobox individual space vehicle | name = Aries Crew Transfer Vehicle | native_name = <!-- name of the vehicle in its native language, if different from the English name --> | mission = <!-- name of the mission the vehicle was used in, if the vehicle is to only be used for one mission --> <!--image of the spacecraft--> | image = CTV-3.png | image_size = 350px | image_alt = <!-- alt description for the image, disp...")
 
 
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{{Infobox individual space vehicle
{{Infobox individual space vehicle
| name              = Aries Crew Transfer Vehicle
| name              = Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle
| native_name      = <!-- name of the vehicle in its native language, if different from the English name -->
| native_name      = <!-- name of the vehicle in its native language, if different from the English name -->
| mission          = <!-- name of the mission the vehicle was used in, if the vehicle is to only be used for one mission -->
| mission          = <!-- name of the mission the vehicle was used in, if the vehicle is to only be used for one mission -->


<!--image of the spacecraft-->
<!--image of the spacecraft-->
| image            = CTV-3.png
| image            = Aries_1.png
| image_size        = 350px
| image_size        = 350px
| image_alt        = <!-- alt description for the image, displayed when the image is unavailable to a reader -->  
| image_alt        = <!-- alt description for the image, displayed when the image is unavailable to a reader -->  
| caption          = Aries M4 ''Trinity'' (CTV-3) in LEO during OM-14.
| caption          = Aries M1 ''Aries'' (OCV-1) in LEO during OM-14.


<!--basic information-->
<!--basic information-->
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<!--properties-->
<!--properties-->
| dimensions        =  <!-- the vehicle's physical dimensions -->
| dimensions        =  Height: 23.3 ft (7.1 m) <br>
| dry_mass          =  328,800lbs
Width (incl. wingspan): 125.9 ft  (38.4m) <br>
| launch_mass      = 528,426lbs (full fuel, no payload)
Wingspan:37.1 ft (11.3m) <br>
| communication    = test
Length: 81.4 ft (24.8m)
| dry_mass          =  278,109 lbs 126,148kg
| launch_mass      = 970,451 lbs (440,189 kg) (full fuel, no payload)
| communication    =  
| power            = <!-- name of the power system the vehicle uses, and its power outage -->
| power            = <!-- name of the power system the vehicle uses, and its power outage -->
| rocket            = Turboramjet and SABRE engines
| rocket            = 3x LARS linear aerospike, 4x OMS-137 Orbit Maneuvering System
| instruments      = {{Hlist|_}} <!-- names of the scientific instruments carried aboard the vehicle, if the vehicle is to only be used for one mission; use abbreviations when applicable -->
| instruments      = {{Hlist|_}} <!-- names of the scientific instruments carried aboard the vehicle, if the vehicle is to only be used for one mission; use abbreviations when applicable -->


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}}
}}


The '''Aries Crew Transfer Vehicle''' (CTV) is a class of [[Meridon|Meridonian]] fully-reusable, {{wpl|Single-stage-to-orbit}} spaceplanes operated primarily by the [[Federal Spatial Advancement Administration]], with a single model operated by the [[Meridon Air Forces]] for clandestine missions. Its program and official name, the Crew Transfer Vehicle, is indicative of its purpose primarily as a low orbital transfer vehicle, however it is capable of small payload deliveries to low orbit.  
The '''Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle''' (OCV) is a class of [[Meridon|Meridonian]] fully-reusable, {{wpl|Single-stage-to-orbit}} spaceplanes operated primarily by the [[Federal Spatial Advancement Administration]], with a single model operated by the [[Meridon Air Forces]] for clandestine missions. Its program and official name, the Orbital Carrier Vehicle, is indicative of its purpose as a cargo carrier, however it is capable of extended-term stays in orbit as well as crew transfer.


Design and development for what would become the Aries and the [[Hercules Orbital Cargo Shuttle]] began in the early 1980s as a proof of concept by independent researcher Levi Pelesa, and later his wife, Ashley. Both hired by [[Laurein Aerospace]]'s Space Launch division in 1985 as engineers, Laurein pitched the concept to the FSAA in 1986 as a radical solution following the impending retirement of the Whiteflash series of launch vehicles for human spaceflight, proposing radically reduced costs per launch, higher flight availability, and the ability to operate using reduced infrastructural costs. The project was one of the most expensive government-funded projects in the history of Meridon, with development costs- particularly for the engine systems, which ran in excess of one trillion dollars over its lifespan in total and required the involvement of Marquesan assistance in development. Conducting atmospheric and ground test flights and operations throughout the mid to late 2010s, the first development shuttle, ''Aries'', conducted a suborbital and then orbital flight in 2019.  
Design and development for what would become the Aries began in the early 1980s as a proof of concept by independent researcher Levi Pelesa, and later his wife, Ashley. Both hired by [[Laurein Aerospace]]'s Space Launch division in 1985 as engineers, Laurein pitched the concept to the FSAA in 1986 as a radical solution following the impending retirement of the Whiteflash series of launch vehicles for human spaceflight, proposing radically reduced costs per launch, higher flight availability, and the ability to operate using reduced infrastructural costs. The project was one of the most expensive government-funded projects in the history of Meridon, with development costs- particularly for the engine systems, which ran in excess of one trillion dollars over its lifespan in total and required the involvement of Marquesan assistance in development. Conducting atmospheric and ground test flights and operations throughout the mid to late 2010s, the first development shuttle, ''Aries'', conducted a suborbital and then orbital flight in 2019.  


Aries shuttles, alongside the Hercules cargo transports, form the backbone of Meridonian space exploration capability. Five have been built, with four in active service with the FSAA. A fifth was built as a mockup, static reference and for spare parts.
Aries shuttles, alongside the Hercules cargo transports, form the backbone of Meridonian space exploration capability. Five have been built, with four in active service with the FSAA. A sixth was built as a mockup, static reference and for spare parts. The vehicle is capable of delivering a payload of up to 37 tons into low earth orbit.  


==Design and Development==
==Design and Development==
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|-
|-
| ''Aries''
| ''Aries''
| CTV-1
| OCV-1
| [[File:Aries logo text.png|75px]]
| [[File:Aries logo text.png|75px]]
| CTV-OTM1 <br> 01 July 2019
| OCV-OTM1 <br> 01 July 2019
| Active service
| Active service
|-
|-
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| CTV-2
| CTV-2
| [[File:Millenium logo text.png|75px]]
| [[File:Millenium logo text.png|75px]]
| CTV-OM3 <br> 02 September 2021
| OCV-OM3 <br> 02 September 2021
| Active service
| Active service
|-
|-
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| CTV-3
| CTV-3
| [[File:Trinity logo text.png|75px]]
| [[File:Trinity logo text.png|75px]]
| CTV-OM7 <br> 01 April 2022
| OCV-OM7 <br> 01 April 2022
| Active service
| Active service
|-
|-
| ''Abydos''
| ''Abydos''
| CTV-4
| OCV-4
| [[File:Abydos logo text.png|75px]]
| [[File:Abydos logo text.png|75px]]
| Awaiting first launch
| Awaiting first launch
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==Mission profile==
==Mission profile==
[[File:Aries 2.png|300px|thumb|'''Aries''' mated to its launch cradle and mounting at the edge of one of HRSC's runways. ]]
Aries is a single-stage-to-orbit craft, which means that excluding propellant it does not detach or expend any part of the components onboard. Payload is integrated and the vehicle is inspected in a standard hangar complex, and the vehicle is wheeled out to a launching platform where it is mated and elevated into a vertical launching system. Thrust is provided by its three LARS-22 aerospikes burning a LOX/LH2 mix, providing a thrust/weight ratio of 1.54 at maximum payload capacity of 37 tons. It follows a similar flight profile to a standard rocket launch, and is capable of conducting in-orbit rendezvouses. Once its mission is complete, Aries conducts a deorbit burn and is capable of landing at most large-sized runways- however most missions terminate at FSAA-manned facilities such as [[Helena Regent Space Center]], its principal area of operation. It glides to a landing and is slowed by parachute, where it can then be towed off the runway, inspected, and refitted for a follow-on flight with turn around times as little as one week.
==Systems==
==Systems==
===SABRE engine===
===LARS engine===
The '''L'''inear '''A'''erospike '''R'''ocket '''S'''ystem is a key component of the OCV propulsion system, providing highly-efficient, powerful, and thrust-vectored propulsion across all regimes of flight from sea level to vacuum.
 


The '''''S'''electively '''A'''ir-'''B'''reathing '''R'''ocket '''E'''ngine'' (SABRE) is a dual-function rocket engine capable of using both atmospheric air in a precooled afterburning turbojet engine, and liquid oxygen in a closed-cycle traditional rocket engine.


==Specifications==
==Specifications==

Latest revision as of 17:03, 5 March 2024

Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle
upright=350px
Aries M1 Aries (OCV-1) in LEO during OM-14.
TypeReusable SSTO crew and cargo carrier
OwnerFederal Spatial Advancement Administration
ManufacturerLaurein Aerospace
Specifications
DimensionsHeight: 23.3 ft (7.1 m)

Width (incl. wingspan): 125.9 ft (38.4m)
Wingspan:37.1 ft (11.3m)

Length: 81.4 ft (24.8m)
Dry mass278,109 lbs 126,148kg
Launch mass970,451 lbs (440,189 kg) (full fuel, no payload)
Rocket3x LARS linear aerospike, 4x OMS-137 Orbit Maneuvering System
Instruments
  • _
History
First flight
  • February 24 2020
  • CTV-OM1
FateActive service, 5 built

The Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle (OCV) is a class of Meridonian fully-reusable, Single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes operated primarily by the Federal Spatial Advancement Administration, with a single model operated by the Meridon Air Forces for clandestine missions. Its program and official name, the Orbital Carrier Vehicle, is indicative of its purpose as a cargo carrier, however it is capable of extended-term stays in orbit as well as crew transfer.

Design and development for what would become the Aries began in the early 1980s as a proof of concept by independent researcher Levi Pelesa, and later his wife, Ashley. Both hired by Laurein Aerospace's Space Launch division in 1985 as engineers, Laurein pitched the concept to the FSAA in 1986 as a radical solution following the impending retirement of the Whiteflash series of launch vehicles for human spaceflight, proposing radically reduced costs per launch, higher flight availability, and the ability to operate using reduced infrastructural costs. The project was one of the most expensive government-funded projects in the history of Meridon, with development costs- particularly for the engine systems, which ran in excess of one trillion dollars over its lifespan in total and required the involvement of Marquesan assistance in development. Conducting atmospheric and ground test flights and operations throughout the mid to late 2010s, the first development shuttle, Aries, conducted a suborbital and then orbital flight in 2019.

Aries shuttles, alongside the Hercules cargo transports, form the backbone of Meridonian space exploration capability. Five have been built, with four in active service with the FSAA. A sixth was built as a mockup, static reference and for spare parts. The vehicle is capable of delivering a payload of up to 37 tons into low earth orbit.

Design and Development

Operational history

Vessel name Identification number Badge First Mission Status
Aries OCV-1 Aries logo text.png OCV-OTM1
01 July 2019
Active service
Millenium CTV-2 Millenium logo text.png OCV-OM3
02 September 2021
Active service
Trinity CTV-3 Trinity logo text.png OCV-OM7
01 April 2022
Active service
Abydos OCV-4 Abydos logo text.png Awaiting first launch Active service

Mission profile

Aries mated to its launch cradle and mounting at the edge of one of HRSC's runways.

Aries is a single-stage-to-orbit craft, which means that excluding propellant it does not detach or expend any part of the components onboard. Payload is integrated and the vehicle is inspected in a standard hangar complex, and the vehicle is wheeled out to a launching platform where it is mated and elevated into a vertical launching system. Thrust is provided by its three LARS-22 aerospikes burning a LOX/LH2 mix, providing a thrust/weight ratio of 1.54 at maximum payload capacity of 37 tons. It follows a similar flight profile to a standard rocket launch, and is capable of conducting in-orbit rendezvouses. Once its mission is complete, Aries conducts a deorbit burn and is capable of landing at most large-sized runways- however most missions terminate at FSAA-manned facilities such as Helena Regent Space Center, its principal area of operation. It glides to a landing and is slowed by parachute, where it can then be towed off the runway, inspected, and refitted for a follow-on flight with turn around times as little as one week.

Systems

LARS engine

The Linear Aerospike Rocket System is a key component of the OCV propulsion system, providing highly-efficient, powerful, and thrust-vectored propulsion across all regimes of flight from sea level to vacuum.


Specifications