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Project Orion to Bring U.S. Back to the Moon

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the guess-you-can't-take-the-sky-from-me dept.

ganjadude writes "Thirty-seven years ago yesterday, Project Apollo put the first humans on the surface of the Moon. The next time the U.S. launches its astronauts to Earth's natural satellite, they will do so as part of Project Orion." From the article: "Under Project Orion, NASA would launch crews of four astronauts aboard Orion capsules, first to Earth orbit and the International Space Station and then later to the Moon. Two teams, one led by Lockheed Martin and the other a joint effort by Northrop Grumman and The Boeing Co., are currently competing to build the CEV. NASA is expected to select the winner in September."

2 of 399 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Informative

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Re:inherent scientific value? by Seraphim1982 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I question that we would necessarily have developed velcro, microcomputers, Tang, new alloys, biomedical advances, etc., by sending robotic ships to explore space.

    Tang and Velcro were devolped independently of the US space program. Velcro was invented in Europe in 1948. Tang was devolped as a breakfast drink in the 50's about 10 years before its association with the space program.

    What's more, it's the manned space flights that hold the public's interest and keep the funding up.

    Then why were the later Apollo missions abandoned due to lack of public interest?
    Holding the public's interest is impossible, the public is far to fickle.