Constellation with EELV?

[RedLegion]

Let's assume that in the Constellation Program NASA decides to focus only on CEV, the rockets for the program are to come from EELV. How will this affect the costs and development of the program. What will be the development of rockets for the Constellation?

 

[Byeman]

No assumption. That was Constellation before Mike Griffin came in. Both LM and Boeing did studies of EELVs for Constellation. Look at Atlas V phase II. Vulcan is a fallout this.

 

[TheKutKu]

What would be the most economical option between DIVH and Atlas V Heavy given the relatively high flight rate needed for distributed lift? Considering that the DIV familly was conceived for a higher flight rate that never happened, wouldn't it be more advantageous to use DIVH?

 

[publiusr]

I would have liked to see a D-IV with Atlas V strap-ons.

 

[Archibald]

No assumption. That was Constellation before Mike Griffin came in. Both LM and Boeing did studies of EELVs for Constellation. Look at Atlas V phase II. Vulcan is a fallout this.

Steidel "Spirals".

 

[Byeman]

What would be the most economical option between DIVH and Atlas V Heavy given the relatively high flight rate needed for distributed lift? Considering that the DIV familly was conceived for a higher flight rate that never happened, wouldn't it be more advantageous to use DIVH?

Atlas V in all configurations including Heavy were cheaper than Delta IV. Atlas V Heavy could also lift more. And had a higher launch cadence. Delta IV required unique cores for all configurations, Atlas V used only one.
Delta IV factory was designed for 40 cores a year. Don't know the Atlas V production rate. But 40 Delta IV cores a year would have required more pads. Atlas V launch rate was higher than Delta IV.
To increase launch rates, Atlas V only needs more VIFs since time on the pads is only a few days*. Currently, ULA is converting the old SMARF into a Vulcan VIF.