NASA's New Shuttle

j0ugh writes "NASA releases plans for a new spacecraft (Audio stream contains the meat) that would replace the space shuttle. The vehicle is part of a system that will be capable of putting astronauts on the moon by 2018, laying the groundwork for space travel to Mars. NASA says the new system is designed to be 10 times safer than the space shuttle"

Comments

From the illustration...

[Anonymous Coward]

It looks almost exactly like the Apollo system.

(if we're going back to 1969, can we also drop the war on drugs? thanks.)

yeah, 10 times safer...

[RelliK]

and 30% cooler, with 200% more wiz-bang factor!

Re:Great.

[American AC in Paris]

Well, that's only like, 20 times more dangerous than a car. Pretty good considering you're basically riding a bomb to orbit.

...which makes one wonder why NASA doesn't just use cars...

Re:Why fly...

[Bogtha]

Why take the elevator when you can just strap yourself to forty-seven fireworks?

Re:Why fly...

[AKAImBatman]

You know what we really need to get people excited about the CEV? An "American NASA" show. We get to watch every week as the scientists get pissy with each other as deadlines move closer and the pressure gets screwed on tight. Will they finish the chopper^H spacecraft in time, or will they kill each other first? Who stays, who gets fired?

Only on Discovery Channel.

(Hey, I'd watch it. ;-P)

Re:Great.

[Martin Blank]

Give me $20B, and I'll plan and build a giant Hot Wheels launch track -- complete with pointless loop in the middle -- and we'll fling cars into orbit all day long!