NASA's Constellation Program, a Brief Guide

NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. NASA grew from the NACA program, the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics whose purpose was researching flight technology. From researching the beginnings of flight to the exploration of space, NASA has grown immensely and also is responsible for the development of the first communication and weather satellites. Much of NASA's research has been used to improve the quality of life on our own planet, Earth. NASA's Constellation program falls under the Exploration Systems category of its four principle programs or directorates.

The Orion:

The Constellation program involves a new generation of spacecraft designed to carry human explorers and researchers to the moon, Mars and even further. It goes beyond the space shuttle program and the International Space Station. The Orion is the first of the spacecrafts in design for the Constellation program. The Orion is the actual crew vehicle involved in the program. It is designed to support a crew of four for twenty one days. The Orion is also designed to remain in orbit for 210 days while it awaits the return of its' crew. It will also have the ability to transport up to six astronauts to the International Space Station.

Ares Series:

Ares is the name given to the launch vehicle in the Constellation program. The Ares series launch vehicles are being developed as "heavy lifters". Ares V is intended to be NASA's primary vessel for reliable and safe delivery of large scale shipments to space. It is being designed for the transport of large hardware, including lunar landing craft, materials to create a base of operations on the moon and provide fresh water and food supplies for the human research teams.

The Altair:

The Altair is the lunar landing module of the Constellation program. The Altair is designed to handle a crew of four and provide a base and life support for seven day exploration missions. Unlike the Apollo landing module it will be capable of landing on the Moon's polar regions which are preferred by NASA for a point of base construction. It is being designed to launch on a Ares V and rendezvous with the Orion vehicle. Altair's first moon landing is expected to be in the year 2020. The first crew flight of the Orion is scheduled for 2015.

The Constellation program is being designed to be safer and more cost effective than past exploration systems. It is being designed for multiple use, even the Ares launchers are being designed with re-use in mind. While many will discount NASA's programs we have benefited from much of NASA's technology. One only needs to keep in mind the Hubble Space Telescope and the incredible discoveries that have been made from its use.

References:
　
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/402684main_M-2140_orion_fs_rev2.pdf
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/current/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/what_does_nasa_do.html