NASA Reconsiders Its Moon Plans

Ares Rocket : courtesy of NASA

From Popscicom:

The Constellation system, which includes the Ares rocket and Orion crew module, could lose favor to a cheaper, more DIY approach to launching orbital craft post-Space Shuttle.

Next year, 33 years after its maiden flight, the space shuttle will retire. What happens after that has become subject to fierce debate within the space agency. The designated successor program, named Constellation, was the darling of previous NASA administrator Michael Griffin, but a new review now has the space agency looking elsewhere for a ride back into the firmament.

The centerpiece of the Constellation program was the Ares rocket. However, that rocket needs billions of dollars more in funding to reach operational status, and has been plagued by numerous engineering problems. Now, some are proposing an alternative rocket system that makes use of already existing shuttle parts.

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