Will The Next Generation of Spacecraft Land In the Water?

Reservoir Hill writes "Work is progressing on the design of the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the next generation of NASA spacecraft that will take humans to the International Space Station, back to the Moon, and hopefully on to Mars. One major question about the spacecraft has yet to be answered. On returning to Earth, should the CEV land in water or on terra firma? After initial studies, the first assessment by NASA and the contractor for the CEV, Lockheed Martin, was that landing on land was preferred in terms of total life cycle costs for the vehicles. Getting the CEV light enough for the Ares rockets to be able to launch it, and therefore eliminating the 1500 lb airbags for landing has its appeal. A splashdown in water seems to be favored."

Comments

I understand NASA is on a short budget...

[explosivejared]

So... I don't really understand the whole disposable crew idea. It would make sense to reuse the crew rather than feeding them to sharks after re-entry, or did I miss something.

Re:Thought about something like this

[pkadd]

Well, when people say something like "hard to control" i thing this: 1% chance of it actually working as intended 99% chance of it failing horribly 100% chance of it still looking incredibly awesome :D

Re:Thought about something like this

[Anonymous Coward]

So, you're a glass half-full type of a guy?

Re:Thought about something like this

[Shakrai]

1% chance of it actually working as intended 99% chance of it failing horribly 100% chance of it still looking incredibly awesome

Adam? Is that you?

Re:Thought about something like this

[Anonymous Coward]

Seeing as how this is slashdot, he's probably either a glass twice as large as needed type of guy or a guy with a diminutive problem.

Re:Landing on a soft target

[geekoid]

"Houston, we are ready for approach"
"Roger that. Approach the bean bag landing zone from 1 8 niner."
"Copy that Houston."
"You should see the Lava Lamps lighting your approach."
"Thank you Houston, Please prepare the after flight debriefing bong."
"grgrgrle"