Space Ventures

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News

December 07 : NASA gives a name to its lunar module

November 07 : NASA admits significant threats to performance of Ares I launcher (flightglobal.com)

September 07: NASA plans bigger moon base (space.com)

Links

Ares I-X (NASA)

A visual history of Nasa's project Constellation

Constellation Programme (Eng) (Fr)

The Constellation Programme was voted under the NASA Authorization Act 2005. Its ambition is to bring man back to the Moon by no lather then 2020. It also includes the completion of the ISS and the use of the Space Shuttle until 2010.

Orion - Service and reentry module

Built by: Lockheed Martin Corp
Volume: 2.5 times the Apollo capsule
Capacity: 4 crew members for missions to the Moon, 6 for missions to the ISS
First mission to the ISS : 2014
First mission to the Moon : 2020

Constellation website

Ares - Launcher

Built by: Boeing Co.

Ares I (left)
First stage: solid booster, solid propellant
Second stage: J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
Destination: ISS
Cargo load capacity: 25 tons

Ares V (right)
Destination: the Moon
First stage: two solid boosters
Core stage: central booster tank with liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen; five RS-68 rocket engines
Earth Departure Stage: J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen

Last test (15/11/07) : opening of main parachute (see news)

Altaïr - Lunar Lander

Descent stage: developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center
Ascent stage: developed by the Johnson Space Center
Capacity : 4 astronauts