Posted on 01/16/2006 7:17:46 PM PST by KevinDavis
NASA could land astronauts on the Moon in the first days of April 2018, according to the just-released Phase 2 solicitation for its Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Launch of the first Moon landing mission has been set for 31 March 2018, while lunar outpost construction is to begin in 2019.
Astronauts could be on board the CEV for two earlier lunar risk-reduction flights, the first of which is scheduled no later than 31 March 2017 and could go round the Moon and back. The Phase 2 schedule also gives 28 September 2012 as the latest preferred date for the first CEV crew transport mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
“The schedule is a draft schedule. We’re using it to estimate life-cycle costs and address reusability issues. But we have said we want to return to the Moon in 2018,” says NASA.
The Phase 2 solicition specifies three CEV variants. Block 1A is a crewed, pressurised vehicle for low-Earth orbit missions; Block 1B is an uninhabited, pressurised vehicle for ISS resupply; and Block 2 is a crewed, pressurised vehicle for lunar missions. NASA expects minimal subsystem changes between Block 1A and 1B, while Block 2 should only see software changes.
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman/Boeing are competing for the CEV development contract, to be awarded by 7 August. The winner will provide a Block 1A and 1B CEV, an iron-bird test rig, and two “production CEVs” for risk-reduction flights (RRF).
(Excerpt) Read more at flightinternational.com ...
2018!?
So much for the mass colonization of space in my lifetime. And I'm 21!
Sooo...that's 6y 8m 12d until a manned US vehicle next gets back to the station? Or are there other manned vehicles in the works?
Now, having already done it several times back then, and having much better technology, we are announcing in 2006 that we will land again in 2019? 13 years from now?
Sounds pretty lame and crazy to me.
At least we are going back..
Most of the technology and approaches developed for our moon landings were developed SOLELY for that. As a result, almost none of that technology was applicable for actual space travel.
Hopefully, the Moon will be seen as a testing ground for long term space habitation. This means an entirely new approach vs a large rocket and a lander. Thirteen years might seem long, but maybe we're working on real "future" technology.
I've just about given up getting to space myself. Now I'm pretty much giving up on seeing a U.S. citizen land on the moon again. Good job NASA.
In 2018, it will have been 49 years since we first landed on the Moon. Need I say more.
...back(wards)!
> ... lunar risk-reduction flights ...
So, is this, like, re-doing Kittyhawk but under FAA
Part 135?
We know it is possible to send people to the moon and
get them back. Dangerous yes, but proved possible. The
chief reason why Apollo was cancelled was that there was
no compelling reason to keep sending people there at the
time.
What now is the compelling reason? I can think of some,
but these reports never lead with them, and they need
to, given the astronomical expense, and what other
high-yield space stuff could alternatively be done
with those funds.
Good point about 62-69 and 05-18.
Blame islam. Someone should add up all the extra costs and time we spend on having to deal with islamic terrorism these days. It must be a staggering amount.
IMHO, this is much more about politics and budgets than it is about technology.
In 200 years, people will look back and laugh at how long it took us to get into space... while waiting in line for an emmigration permit from the Bureau of Space Administration.
We should have taken the space station and transported it to the moon where it could be assembled on the surface. It could have lasted nearly forever there.
Going the space station route was big mistake imho...
According to the press briefing on December 15, 2005, NASA has not yet abandoned a May, 2006 target date for the next flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-115) which will be a flight to the ISS. There could be several Space Shuttle flights to the ISS, perhaps an average of four per year, before the first flight of the CEV if all goes as currently planned.
The way nasa is going, I can just about believe four flights per YEAR; let alone four flights to the STATION...
It's going to take them at least 12 years to repeat what the Germans could do in 8.
NASA needs to clean house from the top down.
Ever hear of Skylab?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.