Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle: Difference between revisions
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The '''Aries | 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 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. | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| ''Aries'' | | ''Aries'' | ||
| | | OCV-1 | ||
| [[File:Aries logo text.png|75px]] | | [[File:Aries logo text.png|75px]] | ||
| | | OCV-OTM1 <br> 01 July 2019 | ||
| Active service | | Active service | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
| CTV-2 | | CTV-2 | ||
| [[File:Millenium logo text.png|75px]] | | [[File:Millenium logo text.png|75px]] | ||
| | | OCV-OM3 <br> 02 September 2021 | ||
| Active service | | Active service | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 84: | Line 84: | ||
| CTV-3 | | CTV-3 | ||
| [[File:Trinity logo text.png|75px]] | | [[File:Trinity logo text.png|75px]] | ||
| | | OCV-OM7 <br> 01 April 2022 | ||
| Active service | | Active service | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''Abydos'' | | ''Abydos'' | ||
| | | 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== | ||
==Systems== | ==Systems== | ||
=== | ===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. | |||
==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
Revision as of 06:32, 23 February 2024
| Aries Orbital Carrier Vehicle | |
|---|---|
 Aries M1 Aries (OCV-1) in LEO during OM-14. | |
| Type | Reusable SSTO crew and cargo carrier |
| Owner | Federal Spatial Advancement Administration |
| Manufacturer | Laurein Aerospace |
| Specifications | |
| Dry mass | 328,800lbs |
| Launch mass | 528,426lbs (full fuel, no payload) |
| Communication | test |
| Rocket | Turboramjet and SABRE engines |
| Instruments | |
| |
| History | |
| First flight |
|
| Fate | Active 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 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.
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.
Design and Development
Operational history
| Vessel name | Identification number | Badge | First Mission | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | OCV-1 | 
|
OCV-OTM1 01 July 2019 |
Active service |
| Millenium | CTV-2 | 
|
OCV-OM3 02 September 2021 |
Active service |
| Trinity | CTV-3 | 
|
OCV-OM7 01 April 2022 |
Active service |
| Abydos | OCV-4 | 
|
Awaiting first launch | Active service |
Mission profile
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.