Although the space shuttle is still a technical marvel, the fleet is aging and has become increasingly expensive to operate. Recent problems with foam insulation have exposed crews to danger, rendered it unsafe to fly, and caused NASA to ground the entire fleet. NASA needs a vehicle that is capable of carrying crew and payloads to Earth orbit, the moon and Mars. With future exploration in mind, NASA is designing a new vehicle.
Space Shuttle Image Gallery
Photo courtesy NASA /John Frassanito and Associates
CEV Launch. See more space shuttle images.
NASA's new spaceship, the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, will actually consist of two ships:
The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) will transport four to six astronauts.
The Cargo Launch Vehicle (CLV) will lift heavy payloads and astronauts when necessary.
The Orion will use proven technologies from the Apollo and space shuttle programs. They will also be safer and more versatile for long-term space exploration.
In this article, we'll examine the concept and technology behind the Orion and learn how it will help us explore the moon and beyond.
CEV Basics
NASA has selected Lockheed Martin to design and build the Orion. Main systems (such as power, navigation, life support, communications, and computers) will be more advanced versions of those on the Apollo and the space shuttle.
Photo courtesy NASA / John Frassanito and Associates
Engineering concepts of the CLV (left) and the CEV (right)
The CEV will consist of three basic parts:
A capsule to hold the crew.
A service module to hold the main propulsion system, power systems, and attitude controls. Attitude refers to how the spacecraft is oriented in space (x, y, and z directions or pitch, roll, yaw axes). Apollo used four units of four thrusters mounted on the service module for this task, while the shuttle uses reaction control thrusters located on the nose and aft sections.
A booster to lift the CEV into Earth orbit.
For lunar landing missions, there will be a special module.
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