List of Constellation missions
This list contains all performed and formerly planned missions of the Constellation program. In addition to regular missions, the crash test and test - firings of the booster are listed, which are carried out despite the abandonment of Constellation.
List of regular Constellation missions
As of January 31, 2010
List of crash tests
As of May 5, 2010
List of test firings
As of August 31, 2010
Descriptions of the Constellation missions
Ares IX: First start of the Ares I rocket carrying a test of the first stage. The solid propellant boosters (Solid Rocket Boosters ) consisted of four active SRB segments and a fifth inactive segment and the upper stage. Both were loaded with steel to simulate the mass of the Orion spacecraft and the loading characteristics. The mission lasted about two minutes. Thereafter, the upper stage of the rocket fell with the simulated payload into the Atlantic Ocean, while the first stage was salvaged on parachutes. The mission was a success.
Ares IY: First start of the fully -developed first stage of the Ares I launch vehicle. This will be the first flight of the complete five -segment SRB. The upper stage will be, however, equipped with an inactive J- 2X engine. The rocket will carry an unmanned crew module and launch abort system ( launch abort system). The inactivity upper stage drive a rejected take-off is to be triggered by the staging. The mission lasts about eight minutes.
Orion 1: First run of the complete rocket with fully functional unmanned upper stage and Orion spacecraft. The multi-day flight is used to check all the systems of the Orion capsule, it is among other things, the docking with the International Space Station tested. The mission will end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean and is the dress rehearsal for the subsequent manned flights dar.
Orion 2: First manned flight. This will be the first flight, which corresponds to the mission profile of the later crew exchange flights, but the mission did not test character. The capsule will be manned with only two people. The landing will probably take place on the American mainland.
More estimated Orion missions ( after 2020 ): This manned missions are expected to serve the development of the first moon base NASA, which could be a possible precursor of a settlement on the celestial body. In addition, these missions are intended to prepare a possible journey of humans to Mars, because the moon could be as a terrain ideal to collect extraterrestrial experiences. The possible trip to Mars could take place until 2037, according to NASA, however, pertinent plans are still extremely vague.