This story was updated on June 14 at 10:10 a.m. EDT. <\/p>\n
Since the space shuttle's retirement in 2011, NASA has relied on Russian rockets to launch its astronauts to space. But the United States plans to have its own homemade spacecraft again soon. Called the Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle, the new vehicle will be able to carry astronauts to Earth orbit, to the moon, asteroids, and eventually to Mars. <\/p>\n
Though it looks similar to the gumdrop shape of the Apollo moon-bound capsules, the Orion spacecraft is a whole new machine. Unlike the old capsules, Orion set to make its first test flight in 2014 can be reused. <\/p>\n
The Orion capsule consists of three basic sections: a crew module, a service module, and a launch abort system. A powerful new rocket, called the Space Launch System, will be used to launch Orion into space. It's the crew module section, in particular, that can be recycled for multiple spaceflights. [Infographic: The Orion Capsule Explained] <\/p>\n
Making a spacecraft reusable is not an easy feat. Since the Apollo 11 first moon landing mission, many manned space capsules have achieved a safe return to Earth by landing in the ocean. <\/p>\n
Though ocean landings are easier from an engineering standpoint the descending capsule doesn't need to slow down as much for a water impact, and there's no need for airbags or other cushioning devices ocean landings are also expensive, as the salt water often ruins the spacecraft's electronics. <\/p>\n
A refurbish-able Orion means the spacecraft will be cheaper to operate over the long term. <\/p>\n
Lockheed Martin, NASA's lead contractor on the Orion project, originally looked into enabling the craft's crew module to set down on dry land by outfitting it with heavy drag parachutes, reverse thrusters, and airbags. But simulations revealed that the necessary equipment would add approximately 1,400 lbs (635 kilograms) of extra weight to the crew module, making the vessel far too heavy. <\/p>\n
So for the first few flights, at least, Orion's crew module will make water landings. <\/p>\n
This poses a problem, as one of the ways Lockheed Martin is making Orion reusable is by placing the majority of its valuable electronics and computers in the crew capsule, the only part of Orion that returns to Earth. This design greatly reduces the amount of hardware and software that needs to be replaced for each flight, but it leaves the question how to protect these valuable components from the corrosive effects of salt water? <\/p>\n
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NASA Goes 'Green': Next Spacecraft to Be Reusable<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This story was updated on June 14 at 10:10 a.m. Continue reading