Moon Rocket Design Gets Thumbs-Up, but Hurdles Remain for NASA

NASABack2theMoon (10:51 AM): Our first test flight, Ares I-X is planned for early summer 2009.
We'll then have a series of test launches that lead to humans flying no later than 2015 on Ares I/Orion.
We want to have "boots on the moon" no later than 2020.

Dave on Earth (10:52 AM): Before we get into the moon stuff, you guys have quite a dilemma on your hands regarding getting astronauts to the space station after 2010.
Have you heard any bright ideas about how to solve that lately, or if it can be solved?

NASABack2theMoon (10:54 AM): You are referring to the "gap" in US spaceflight between the time the Space Shuttle retires (2010) and Ares/Orion (2015).
This has been part of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy since 2004. I can't speak for the folks working Space Station, but we are on track to getting Ares up and flying on time.

Dave on Earth (10:56 AM): Do you know if it's possible to accelerate Ares I's development to help fill that gap?

NASABack2theMoon (10:57 AM): The fastest we could accelerate Ares/Orion with any amount of funding would be about a year.

Dave on Earth (10:59 AM): I see -- so Ares/Orion is pretty much off the list of options.

NASABack2theMoon (10:59 AM): For greatly reducing the gap, yes.

Dave on Earth (11:00 AM): Have you dreamed up and bright ideas yourself? I've seen some pretty interesting ones out there -- even NASA building its own Soyuz launch system!

NASABack2theMoon (11:02 AM): That's what's great about America -- always a plethora of bright ideas.
Right now, I have my head down and coloring to make Ares I and V happen on time :)

Dave on Earth (11:04 AM): To tap again into this pocket of rumors I have handy: Do you think China will get people to the moon before the U.S.?

NASABack2theMoon (11:07 AM): I don't think they are trying to win a race -- they are slowly and steadily building up the capability that would allow them to go to the moon.
I want us to get back first also and get on to destinations like Mars.

Dave on Earth (11:08 AM): Getting to Mars is going to be expensive -- and very risky.
Do you think the planet will have to try and pull off another International Space Station-like effort to make it happen?

NASABack2theMoon (11:11 AM): In general, we want the ability to transport ourselves and our cargo on our own spacecraft.
Once we get to a location (moon, Mars, or somewhere else), we see a lot of potential for international collaboration.
We will have to build rovers, habitats, labs, etc. and that is where we are focused on planning for collaboration.

Dave on Earth (11:11 AM): I see -- no guts, no glory :)
As someone who works behind the scenes on Ares, do you ever stop and think, "Man, I wish I could be one of the people riding this rocket into space"?

NASABack2theMoon (11:12 AM): It would be the ride of a lifetime -- hard to pass up, but that's not going to happen!
How about you?

Dave on Earth (11:12 AM): I told my friend yesterday that I'd kill someone to go into space.
Obviously I wouldn't do that, but you get the idea ;)

NASABack2theMoon (11:13 AM): Sure do!

Dave on Earth (11:13 AM): Now to wrap this thing up: Ares and Orion are the immediate future of U.S. space travel...
What do you think will come after solid booster rockets and liquid fuel engines?
Perhaps a magnetic launch system? Nuclear fission engines? Antimatter? Maybe a space elevator?

NASABack2theMoon (11:15 AM): I think the next step will be a nuclear thermal rocket -- likely to be key to Mars.
Beyond that, it's wide open. Really depends on how some of these ideas mature technologically, and the market demand at the time.

Dave on Earth (11:15 AM): Ok. Maybe you're not a gambling man, but let's pretend.
What would you hedge your bets on after nuclear thermal?

NASABack2theMoon (11:16 AM): It's really hard to say, but... I worked on several of these projects in the past.
Hypersonic, air-breathing propulsion has possibilities if they can prove it on near-term applications such as missiles.

Dave on Earth (11:16 AM): Thanks. Really appreciate your doing this, and best of luck with Ares!

NASABack2theMoon (11:17 AM): Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Article posted September 24, 2008.

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