NASA planning moon launch for 2018
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-20 06:57

The new exploration plan would allow four astronauts to stay on the moon for a week — twice as long as Apollo missions. It also would haul considerably more cargo, much of which would be left on the moon for future crews. In time, lunar stays of up to six months would be possible.

The capsule would return to Earth by parachute either on land or water — land being preferable, most likely at Edwards Air Force Base in California. And the capsule would be reusable, flying as many as five to 10 times. Apollo capsules were limited to one flight each.

Griffin said NASA did not set out to mimic Apollo with the new spacecraft and that many options were considered.

"By and large, the Apollo folks got it right," Griffin said, noting that other than electronics and computers, the technology hasn't changed significantly.

Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing Co., which have teamed up to compete for the crew exploration vehicle contract, favored the capsule design from the start.

"There's been a phrase around the program called 'safe, simple, soon,'" said Doug Young, vice president of space systems for Northrop Grumman. "Going with a proven type of shape, going with something that's easier to develop that doesn't require more complex analysis and development, is going to allow you to get to your destination, your goal sooner at a lower risk."

NASA believes the crew exploration vehicle would be 10 times safer than the space shuttle, in part because of an old-style escape tower that could jettison the capsule away from the rocket in the event of an explosion or fire. The space agency puts the existing failure rate for shuttles at 1-in-220, versus 1-in-2,000 for the new vehicle.

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