WANNA C MAN ON MOON?
With two currently functioning orbiters, and five more missions
planned in the next year, Earth's Moon may soon have seven active
probes operated by five nations, with even more coming soon. NASA's
plans to return humans to the Moon by 2020 are moving steadily ahead,
with some concrete prototypes and initial designs beginning to emerge.
Called the Constellation Program, NASA's vision involves new and
upgraded launch vehicles, exploration vehicles, autonomous rovers, new
spacesuits, crew and cargo vehicles, and much more. Here are seven
photographs of our possible future on the Moon, and a look back, with ten
images from our last visits with the Apollo missions, more than 36 years
ago now
With two currently functioning orbiters, and five more missions planned in
the next year, Earth's Moon may soon have seven active probes
operated by five nations, with even more coming soon. NASA's plans to
return humans to the Moon by 2020 are moving steadily ahead, with
some concrete prototypes and initial designs beginning to emerge. Called
the Constellation Program, NASA's vision involves new and upgraded
launch vehicles, exploration vehicles, autonomous rovers, new
spacesuits, crew and cargo vehicles, and much more. Here are seven
photographs of our possible future on the Moon, and a look back, with ten
images from our last visits with the Apollo missions, more than 36 years
ago now Looking Forward -- Spacesuit engineer Dustin Gohmert drives
NASA's new lunar truck prototype through the moon-like craters of
Johnson Space Center's Lunar Yard. The lunar truck was built to make
such off roading easy, with six wheels that can be steered independently
in any direction. In addition, the steering center can turn a full 360
degree, giving the driver a good view of what's ahead, no matter which
way the wheels are pointing. (NASA/JSC)
During field tests near Moses Lake, WA, NASA's Autonomous Drilling
Rover demonstrated dark autonomous nagivation with a light detection
and ranging system. (NASA)
The Crew Mobility Chassis Prototype is NASA's new concept for a lunar
truck. Researchers were trying it out at Moses Lake, WA, as part of a
series of tests of lunar surface concepts. One feature is its high mobility.
Each set of wheels can pivot individually in any direction, giving the
vehicle the ability to drive sideways, forward, backward and any direction
in between -- important if the truck becomes mired in lunar dust needs to
zigzag down a steep crater wall or parallel park at its docking station.
(NASA)
NASA's ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer)
robotic vehicle seen during field tests near Moses Lake, WA. Athlete could
be the RV of choice for future explorers. Its multi-wheeled dexterity could
allow robots or humans to load, transport, manipulate and deposit
payloads to essentially any desired site on the lunar surface. (NASA)
NASA's lunar truck during field tests near Moses Lake, WA. Whatever
direction the lunar truck is headed, the driver has a good view. The
astronauts' perches can pivot 360 degrees. The whole wehicle can be
lowered to the ground for easy access in bulky spacesuits. (NASA)
Testing a critical Launch Abort System. NASA and Alliant Techsystems
(ATK) performed an igniter test of the Orion Launch Abort System at
ATK's Promontory Facility on June 13, which lasted for approximately 150
milliseconds. The igniter was just over 36 inches tall and was the first
time the newly developed igniter had been tested. Its purpose is to ignite
the primary motor on the LAS that pulls the capsule away during an
emergency on the pad or during launch. (NASA and Alliant Techsystems)
A mock-up of the NASA's new Orion space capsule heads to its
temporary home in a hangar at NASA's Langley Research Center in
Hampton, Va. In late 2008, the full-size structural model will be jettisoned
off a simulated launch pad at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range
in New Mexico to test the spacecraft's astronaut escape system, which
will ensure a safe, reliable method of escape for astronauts in case of an
emergency. NASA's Constellation program is building the Orion crew
vehicle to carry humans to the International Space Station by 2015 and
to the moon beginning in 2020. (NASA/Sean Smith)
And Looking Back -- A view of the Moon's surface taken from lunar orbit
in the summer of 1971. Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission to the
Moon. (NASA)
April 20, 1972 - Apollo 16. A view from the Landing Module, looking
toward the Command and Service Module with Earth over the lunar
horizon. Astronauts John Young and Charles Duke took this shot as they
piloted the LM down to the lunar surface. (NASA)
Also April 20, 1972 - The Command and Service Module named "Casper"
viewed from the Lunar Module shortly after undocking. Astronaut Ken
Mattingly stayed aboard the CSM while the LM went to the surface -
orbiting over 60 times, and performing twenty-six separate scientific
experiments. (NASA)
December 10, 1972 - Apollo 17. A tiny, distant Command and Service
Module seen above the Taurus-Littrow landing site photographed from the
Lunar Module as it descended to the Moon - the last time Men would set
foot on the lunar surface. (NASA)
December, 1972 - Apollo 17. Astronaut Eugene Cernan drives the final
Lunar Rover (of 3 total) sent to the Moon. Also seen is one leg of the
Lunar Module, at right. (NASA)
December, 1972 - Apollo 17. Astronaut Harrison Schmitt near the Lunar
Rover at Shorty crater. (NASA)
April, 1972 - Apollo 16. Astronaut Charles Duke's family portrait, laid on
the lunar surface. Pictured are Charles and Dotty Duke, and their sons
Charles, 7, and Tom, 5. (NASA)
July 21, 1969 - Apollo 11. The Lunar Module approaches the Command
and Service Module for docking, with earthrise in background. Aboard the
LM were astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, returning from a
21-hour stay on the Moon - the first Moon landing by Man. (NASA)
December, 1972 - Apollo 17. Astronaut Jack Schmitt took this telephoto
picture of the Lunar Module, seen from a distance of about two miles (3.1
km). For an idea of scale, the Lunar Module is about 24 feet tall (7
meters). (Image is a combination of AS17-139-21204 and
AS17-139-21203 - credit: NASA)
December, 1972 - Apollo 17. Earthrise viewed from Apollo 17 (NASA)
