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NASA Engineers Work On Alternative Moon Rocket

Posted by timothy on from the doesn't-even-have-a-hybrid-engine dept.

Gibson writes "A team of 57 engineers at NASA's Marshall Spaceflight center feel that the Ares rocket is not the best solution for launching the new CEV. They are currently working on their own time developing an alternative launch system known as Jupiter. The 131 page proposal, along with other information, is available on the project website. Proponents of the project say that it is 'simpler, safer, and sooner' than the Ares project, predicting the ability for a return to the moon in 2017, two years before the current goal. Ares management has so far dismissed the proposal as a 'napkin drawing.'"

3 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, because we all know.... by mlwmohawk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That a "napkin drawing" by engineers never amount to anything.

  2. "A Napkin Drawing?" by Illbay · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How can anyone whose project is in the design stage, scoff at another that is in the conceptual stage? Neither of them EXIST yet!

    Where is Ares? Oh, it's in AUTOCAD! Well, that makes ALL the difference!

    Meanwhile, their brilliant project isn't expected to get anyone to the moon before, what, twenty years?

    Sheesh.

    --
    Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
  3. One more.... by mlwmohawk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    After getting most prized "first post" position, I have one more...

    I would trust a set of napkin drawings from dedicated engineers more than I'd trust a polished proposal from a committee of military contractors and NASA administrators.

    Think of it this way, the latter said the O rings were safe, the former tried to warn everyone of the danger.