In Space, what's old is new
 

A great little set of slides describing the next generation of NASA manned space vehicles.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...TELLATION.html

Going back to the old skinny, tall rocket model. The only thing it doesn't talk about is how the Orion Module will land when it returns to earth. It looks like it may be an old-school parachute into the ocean.

Cool find. It does look old school, which is fine by me, since the shuttle is boooring by now.

It's awesome enough to see a shuttle launch in person, I wonder what it's gonna be like to see an Ares V launch?

I'm vaguely planning a trip to Florida in 2010 in hopes to catch the final launch of the shuttle as I've never seen one. I'm sure it'll be insane, but worth it.

So I guess that reusable launch vehicle idea is bust

Or at least delayed until 4th generation.

Now if they'll just realize that federally-funded manned spaceflight is also a bust we can move on to a properly focused space program.

2020? God willing, and I stay healthy, we'll put a man on the moon in my lifetime.

I never thought of it that way. There hasn't been a man there since 1972, before I was born. But then again they've pretty much nailed the moon. Rocks, check. Lack of anything else, check. No reason to hang out there except for the awesome dune buggying.

China will get there first.

And to play killer links course golf.

And establish customer service phone banks.

But, I do remember the moon landing in 1969. It was way cool then, but now I would scratch my head and wonder why.

I want to know when we are going to land on Mercury.

Except that if the ever do find ice we could have a moon base option. This would allow for the possible leap frog into deep [IE the far end of our solar system] space.
You go right ahead. I'll stay here and watch. ;)

Give me an umbrella and a mister for daytime and thermal underwear and a heavy coat for night time and I'll be fine.

We plan to attend the launch (either one) in May...*fingers crossed* :) It's a lifelong dream of mine, right under going to see Lemurs in Madagascar. Yes, we're old enough to be checking stuff off the list now.

I remember watching the moon landing vividly...and I don't get the "space shuttle is boring" mentality. OMG! How is this possible? Have you no sense of wonder? I marvel at it constantly...watch NASA channel all the time. That we can send actual humans into that vast wilderness never ceases to reduce me to tears of joy every time. What a glorious thing it is to be alive while these things happen.

I'm not sure if the "space shuttle is boring" was a response to my post or something just general. But in case, I do not find it boring at all, I find it amazing and have attended a launch and it was amazing.

I just still think that the space shuttle program was a pragmatic dud from the beginning that represents a misplacing of priorities where the focus is on PR (and not very effective PR for the most part) instead of real science.

I love the idea of humans in space and on other planets (and as I've quite seriously said if someone gave me the opportunity offering only even money that I'd survive I'd probably leap at it), but tickling my sense of wonder isn't sufficient reason for the government to create a jobs and pork program.

No, no! My post was not directed at anyone here at all - although I certainly see how it could be interpreted that way. Sloppy writing on my part! :eek:

Ok, I was being extra blase. :) I love that we can put people into space, love the amazing science behind it. What gets me about the shuttle program is that every show I've seen about it for the last 15 years has said the same thing: The shuttle is like sending 4 people in a bus, but what we need to do is trim it down and send 2 people in a race car. They kept showing these new ideas for smaller, reusable ships (as mentioned in this thread) but none of it ever materialized. Then Columbia blew, just when we were FINALLY getting over the Challenger (which I remember well). As Alex alluded to, I think the shuttle suffers from some major PR problems.

Getting people to and from our space station is pretty damn cool. The fact that we have people in space all the time is awesome. Hubble kicks ass. There are great reasons to be in space.

But right now - Virgin Galactic, space X Prizes, the Chinese getting involved, Russia letting you pay your own way - these are the kinds of stories that catch my eye.

All I know is I REALLY want to walk on the moon before I die. We're on the threshold of earth orbit as accessible tourist destination, moon is the next logical step. Even if we never actually colonize it. Even if it continues to prove to be nothing but dust and more dust and craters. If further missions to the moon mean higher chance of me being on it, I'm all for it.

Along with some other friends of ours, it looks like we're on for May! Just booked our hotel (in the last couple of days my first choices already filled up!). Woo-hoo!