spacetoday.net: NASA exploration architecture unveiled

Posted: Tue, Sep 20, 2005, 8:13 AM ET (1213 GMT)
CEV and lunar lander illustration (NASA)

NASA released yesterday the results of a study that has defined plans to send humans back to the Moon in 2018. The Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) calls for the development of two shuttle-derived launch vehicles, one to launch an Apollo-style Crew Exploration Vehicle and a heavy-lift version that would carry large cargoes, such as a lunar module and Earth departure stage. NASA proposes to initially mount two manned lunar missions a year, each carrying four people who will spend a week on the Moon, eventually leading to a permanent human presence there. The systems would also serve as the basis for later missions to Mars. NASA estimates the cost of the manned lunar program at $104 billion, although some members of Congress have expressed skepticism that the funding will be available to carry out the plan given uncertainty surrounding the cost of hurricane relief and other programs.