Thanks and hello again
I have asked about what exactly had you in mind when making reference to an updated AresV in order to know what I could eventually contribute in a more or less near-term period (perhaps until the end of this month (?), really not sure).
Being more explicit, have currently here a range of some older heavy lifter 3D meshes already implemented in Orbiter. Also have things that are not exported into Orbiter format yet...
1) Focusing in official NASA approach, have implemented (but not released) an older AresV iteration (10m core powered by 5 x RS-68, 2 x 5 segment SRB, EDS still at 8.4m diameter powered by single J-2X, PLF could be 10m diameter).
2) Also preparing a heavy lifter family for NASA VSE SC addon's alternative reality where kept the core at 8.4m diameter (but stretched it) and recently assumed it being powered by 6 (instead of 5) expendable SSME. The core has 2 x 5 segment SRB at the sides (but with slightly different assumptions than NASA's past official design iterations) and the upper stage is at 10m diameter (same for PLF), powered by one or twin J-2S80 (a conceptual engine in part similar to official J-2X - same ISP - except for the thrust, which would be lower). This common bulkhead stage configuration could be able to place ~134t (including payload adapter) into 300Km direct insertion and while having ~2.33% of FPR / Residuals (~161t of total mass inserted into LEO, counting with upper stage). Just as a side note, in NASA VSE SC addon will assume alternative mission modes for Moon / Mars and also alternative CEV / LSAM assumptions.
As yet another side note, if really needed - and because we are in virtual reality - such heavy lifter could be later upgraded for a LEO performance of ~225t or so (need to check) if making a core variant (extra mass added) in order to support a four booster configuration (twin SRB would be replaced by probably expendable kerolox boosters, with an equivalent thrust of 2 x RD-170 each) and if the upper stage would double propellant load and number of J-2S80 engines (4).
3) Back to NASA's official plans: as you have noted, the current baseline configuration assumes all at 10m diameter, monster core updated to 6 x RS-68B specs and really big propellant load, 2 x 5.5 segment SRB (with extra thrust / ISP than ever... it seems that almost no thrust curve; these would perhaps always go at full thrust) and also a big EDS (single J-2X). There are a few doubts about things such as thrust structure design for the core and about if this baseline might further be transformed to an even greater rocket. There are also a few comments about eventually dropping AresI (5 segment SRB + single J-2X concept) and going for some kind of dual launch heavy lift scenario for the Moon (but that is really a kind of rumour, not a verified info). The current AresV baseline (for the '1.5' mission mode) has a total LEO delivery payload of ~182t to 188t or so (including the upper stage in that number).
About eventual Heavy Lifter Addon
The idea here would be to make some kind of preliminary upload at Obit Hangar Mods containing one (and just one) of the concepts above, for people wishing to have ~130t or higher heavy lift capability and a 10m diameter fairing. The mission modes would depend of each one's preferences / requirements: giving as example lunar missions, people would either assume something like current official path (keeping a smaller Crew Launch Vehicle around) or using the heavy lifter configuration to launch crew + lander in one flight and EDS in another (and go for dual heavy launch mode).
In any case, orbinauts would need to be aware that:
a) If uploading something 'soon' (please do not ask me about a specific release date), I might not be able to prepare extensive documentation about the addon specs and about how to use it... Some familiarity with how Vinka's generic dlls work could be required (most of that info is available in Vinka's nice official docs). For extra doubts or clarifications about performance implementation, payload integration, etc I could perhaps check the forums and answer as needed.
b) The 3D models included inside that package might be just 'dummy' performance placeholders (they might be outdated / incomplete regarding what have in the 3D editor and in what concerns visual quality or regarding the representation of some launcher integration details).
c) If providing an ascent guidance might perhaps only do it for Exploration ascents (~28.5 inclinations) and such guidance might go only until a few seconds after separation from core (and other major ascent events, the rest would have to be manual depending of how much time would have to tweak the rest of the insertion)
d) The zip package would be a temporary upload, with a custom directory structure: it would only include one of the heavy lifter options above (older AresV or updated AresV or NASA VSE SC ~134t baseline heavy lifter) in both cargo only and crew+cargo configurations. Such zip package would be later deleted and no longer supported because:
d.1) the AresV 'official' design iteration (the older or the most recent) would be later moved to an integrated AresI-V addon, independently of what happens in real life.
d.2) the NASA VSE SC Heavy Lifter will be later moved to NASA VSE SC addon, whenever I update the really old v1.0 (which think that has a few implementation errors and less apealling visual work)
Please have all the above in mind when using such addon or if requiring it to work with other addons...
So and to end this long blablablablabla I will stand-by for a little in order to give time to fellow orbinauts to answer to the following question: what is the preferred path for an eventual +/- near-term release (until the end of month, again, not sure)?
Current AresV specs?
Older AresV specs?
NASA VSE SC heavy Lifter specs?
(I ask to orbinauts wanting to give his / her opinion to please just choose one option)
Depending of the answer(s), will see what can do but would like to note that current AresV baseline might take a bit longer because would have to hunt / research / estimate first a few extra details about launcher integration and ascent events and because do not have anything of the new stuff (new core + EDS + 5.5seg SRB assumptions) exported to Orbiter. Once more, I'm asking what is the *near-term* wish versus the constraints written above (independently of the answer I plan to implement both heavy lifter types, sooner or later).
Thanks,
António
I have also implemented a similar official AresV (based in previous specs), as can be seen in this temporary download link:
