The crew exploration vehicle (CEV) and the next generation of human spaceflight

Abstract: Announced in January 2004, NASA''s “Vision for Space Exploration” describes an ambitious series of missions, including a plan to return humans to the moon before the end of the next decade as well as eventual crewed missions to Mars. To accomplish these missions, NASA is developing “Constellation Systems”, a system of systems that will create the required vehicles, systems, and infrastructure. The first vehicle produced for Constellation Systems will be the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The CEV is a spacecraft designed to affordably, reliably, and safely transfer crew from the Earth''s surface to destinations beyond. Since Constellation Systems relies on a flexible, modular architecture to accomplish different missions, the CEV will be a very versatile vehicle. Initially, it will be used to transfer crew and cargo to and from the International Space Station. By the end of the next decade, it will transfer four astronauts from the Earth''s surface, dock with the Earth Departure Stage for the trip to a Lunar Orbit, then maintain itself autonomously there while the crew explores the surface below. The CEV design utilizes experience and technology from previous programs like Apollo and the Space Shuttle, but combines that with modern materials, manufacturing techniques, and avionics. This paper explores the requirements and design factors which drove the definition of the vehicle configuration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]