What Is Ares V?
Ares V (5) is the larger of the two Ares rockets. Ares V will not launch astronauts, but it will play an important role in returning humans to the moon. Ares V will carry equipment into space that will make it possible to create an outpost on the moon. For human landings, the Ares V will launch the astronauts’ lunar lander. Astronauts will fly into orbit on an Ares I. The crew’s spacecraft will dock in orbit with the lunar lander that is mounted on the top stage of the Ares V. That top stage then will push the Orion and the lander to the moon’s orbit. Astronauts will descend to the surface of the moon in the lunar lander. The Ares V could also be used to place other large supplies or spacecraft in space.
