Lockheed Martin unveils Space Shuttle replacement

Vegan Bob writes "Lockheed Martin released its proposal for the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) in a recent Popular Mechanics article. NASA will choose this vehicle scematic or opt for the yet-released Northrop Grumman design in 2008. The CEV will replace the Space Shuttle program, and will eventually go to the moon (between 2015 and 2020)."

Re:But...

[PenguinBoyDave]

No. The new shuttle replacement will go back to an older, more stable system: Commodore 64

Shields!

[Lugor]

3 Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris protection shield

One step closer to Ionized Hullplates, then real Shields!!

I can see it all now...

[StuffJustHappens]

I haven't RTFA (hey, this is Slashdot!), but based on my observations of the shuttle landings - ie: like a 'regular' passenger plane, I can see how this all pans out:

1. Moonbase 1 is built with a modern, high-tech arrivals terminal for the new craft.

2. First craft arrives and personnel enter the arrivals lounge.

3. Crew awaits baggage only to discover it's been sent to Mars.

Re:One or two questions related to these articles:

[Joe the Lesser]

No, you see, this time we're going to the moon for real!

Re:curious...

[stinkyfingers]

// begin conspiracy

Maybe we have to get to the moon to put footprints and flag up before some other country finds out the truth. We can always *make* more money.

// end conspiracy

Crappy Name

[Anonymous Coward]

So we're exploring the crew now?

Too many technical details!

[Locke2005]

The most anticipated--if least glamorous--advancements will include a means to generate power for long-duration stays in space and a diagnostic safety system to troubleshoot problems.
Wow, that's way to complicated... could you please explain that in layman's terms?

Re:Too many technical details!

[t_allardyce]

A backup hampster wheel and a colour instruction manual with space to write notes.

Holy crap -- that's MY LEGO set!

[IronChefMorimoto]

I swear to God that photo on the Popular Mechanics website and Wikipedia article looks like a damned LEGO set.

At least NASA won't have to put much engineering into future spacesuits, what with the limited arm/leg mobility of LEGO peeps.

IronChefMorimoto

who cares??

[eestar]

why do we care?? I mean seriously why do i care what we are going to do in space? Why are we geeks and why do all geeks have interests in the same geeky stuff? Lets make slashdot cool together. Lets talk about American Idol... I cant, do it. I like space more than pretty pop singers. whats wrong with us??

Re:One or two questions related to these articles:

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Ironically, in the nations of the former Soviet Union, they also use the excuse that development is slower now because there's no Soviet Union that's making everyone piss their pants in fear.

For the Nth time

[Ars-Fartsica]

How many times have we seen "shuttle replacements"??? And Popular Mechanics/Science has just turned into military industrial porn. Do even 1% of their "artist renderings" of nuclear fighter aircraft or nanotube-hulled destroyers or hypersonic submarines (yes, all improbable/impossible, that is my point) ever make it even into the clay mockup phase?

Don't go to the moon, blow it up

[Is0m0rph]

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger was saying on Howard Stern a couple weeks ago. The moon is not good for anything. The tides are a nuisance, most crime is committed during a full moon, female cycles follow the moon, no need for moonlight when we have fire and electricity. He said if he can't get government backing to blow up the moon he would go up there using his own money and blow it up himself.

Duct tape?

[loconet]

Is it just me or does this image [popularmechanics.com] of the model look like the Propultion Stage is being held together by duct tape? I mean, I know duct tape can achieve some unbelievable things but this might be pushing it just a bit no?

Re:If we can put a man on the moon....

[Short Circuit]

We can. This site [slashdot.org] does it, constantly.

Re:Don't go to the moon, blow it up

[Anonymous Coward]

ARNOLD SMASH!

So they admit it!!

[JohnPM]

From NASA's published schedule:

2015 - 2020 - First moon landing by astronauts in lunar spacecraft.


So they finally admit it never happened in the 1960s!