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NASA's Lunar Colony
36 years after the Apollo 17 astronauts left the surface of the Moon, NASA is preparing to return. The Constellation programme is scheduled to land the next generation of astronauts on the Moon by 2020. This renewed interest in lunar exploration is part of a wider objective, a successful manned mission to Mars and other destinations in the Solar System.
In January 2004, President George W. Bush announced plans for a new chapter in space exploration. He proposed returning humans to the Moon in preparation for human exploration of Mars. The vision included retiring the Space Shuttle, replacing it with a new Crew Exploration Vehicle capable of delivering heavy cargo not only to the International Space Station, but also on extended missions to the Moon. The Orion missions will be used as Mercury and Gemini were for Apollo and the Moon, to demonstrate the systems and technologies needed for extended human missions to Mars.
In order to achieve this ambition, NASA is drawing on the successes of its previous manned explorations. An amalgamation of Apollo and Shuttle technologies, coupled with cutting edge contributions from all 10 NASA centres are creating the four part Orion spacecraft and launch vehicles.
“Think of it as Apollo on steroids," NASA chief Michael Griffin said when he announced the $104-billion lunar exploration plan in 2005.
Orion is a fusion of existing aerospace technologies. It will be launched with the engines, solid rocket boosters and a large external fuel tank of the Shuttle program. However, the crew module won’t piggyback into space like its STS predecessors. It will sit atop like Freedom 7 and Friendship 7 of the Mercury manned missions. This will increase the safety, prevent falling debris potentially damaging the crew vehicle, as with Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Columbia was destroyed on re-entry after falling insulation tiles damaged its left wing during launch.
In January 2004, President George W. Bush announced plans for a new chapter in space exploration. He proposed returning humans to the Moon in preparation for human exploration of Mars. The vision included retiring the Space Shuttle, replacing it with a new Crew Exploration Vehicle capable of delivering heavy cargo not only to the International Space Station, but also on extended missions to the Moon. The Orion missions will be used as Mercury and Gemini were for Apollo and the Moon, to demonstrate the systems and technologies needed for extended human missions to Mars.
In order to achieve this ambition, NASA is drawing on the successes of its previous manned explorations. An amalgamation of Apollo and Shuttle technologies, coupled with cutting edge contributions from all 10 NASA centres are creating the four part Orion spacecraft and launch vehicles.
“Think of it as Apollo on steroids," NASA chief Michael Griffin said when he announced the $104-billion lunar exploration plan in 2005.
Orion is a fusion of existing aerospace technologies. It will be launched with the engines, solid rocket boosters and a large external fuel tank of the Shuttle program. However, the crew module won’t piggyback into space like its STS predecessors. It will sit atop like Freedom 7 and Friendship 7 of the Mercury manned missions. This will increase the safety, prevent falling debris potentially damaging the crew vehicle, as with Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Columbia was destroyed on re-entry after falling insulation tiles damaged its left wing during launch.
Orion
Orion is NASA's new family of space transport vehicles, described as "Apollo on steroids".
Two-Stage Expedition
Unlike Apollo, Orion's elements will launch seperately.
Where To Land
The lunar South Pole is NASA's favoured area of operation.
Walking On The Moon
Orion lunar astronauts will spend up to a week on the moon.
The Vision
NASA's lunar ambitions are to build a permanent colony on the Moon, in preparation for a mission to Mars.
