September 16, 2007
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmOrion Basics
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
ORION BASICS
NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing a space transport system that, by the year 2020, will convey humans to and from the moon. The Orion vehicle—which contains a pressurized capsule, life-support systems and a propulsion engine—serves as one of the linchpins of the Constellation program, which also includes launch boosters and support modules.
Although the Constellation-Orion program in some ways resembles the 1960s-era Apollo moon program, it will be capable of conducting other manned and unmanned missions besides lunar excursions, including servicing the space station and perhaps traveling to the planet Mars.
The Constellation system’s enhanced flexibility derives from a larger, more generalized design and the use of state-of-the-art technology.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
