Image Source: I09.
As one era of space exploration ended with the retirement of the Space Shuttles, so a new one begins. NASA is saving face following the end of the Shuttle program with a flurry of bright announcements. I09 is reporting on NASA's press release yesterday about a giant rocket they are building - the largest in all of human history. This is the launch vehicle that will take us to Mars:
The crew capsule is the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle - also just announced. See the bottom right of my blog page for a selection of NASA's main headlines. See below the jump for the promotional videos.Say hello to NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) — it's about to become the largest, most powerful space rocket we've ever built. The Agency announced a design for the rocket earlier today, saying it will be a "safe, affordable and sustainable means of reaching beyond our current limits and opening up new discoveries from the unique vantage point of space." Buckle up, everybody — we're going to Mars.
Video Source: Youtube.
NASA Chief Bolden's announcement, 14 September 2011. Video Source: Youtube.
Caption for the above video: The rocket will use a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel system, where RS-25D/E engines will provide the core propulsion and the J2X engine is planned for use in the upper stage. There will be a full and open competition to develop the boosters based on performance requirements. Its early flights will be capable of lifting 70-100 metric tons before evolving to a lift capacity of 130 metric tons.
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Video Source: Youtube.
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Well, sweets, I guess it's my turn to borrow! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSure, go ahead! The link above to the clip from /2001: A Space Odyssey/ prompted me to put it in DVD player. What an eerie, prescient movie. I can never get over the fierceness of Kubrick's visions, and his utter lack of apology when it came to doing what needed to be done as far as art was concerned. He is one of my favourite directors.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the comments on the Youtube link above to that /2001/ scene. Re. Hal refusing to open the pod bay doors, one Youtuber said: "I would install Windows 7 on his ass!"
Well this IS good news, though I think we should build a moon base firsr. Reading a hypothetical moonbase novel now, actually. Stick that in your eye, "Realistic" Mockumentary Apollo movie!
ReplyDeleteAlso Re: Installing Windows 7 on HAL: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! -J
Mind if I link to this too? Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteSure! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am as big a space fan as anybody, and in my youth I thought all good things came from NASA, but as I read more, and heard more details about what could have been accomplished in space, but was not, I became quite sad to realize that NASA was less like 2001 and more like a stereotypical government bureaucracy.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this new program has been proposed simply to continue employment of government workers in the districts of the representatives that oversee NASA's budget.
Please see Bill Whittle's video that explains WHY we aren't living in the world of 2001 by the year 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h_d6YVA1Kg