Ever wonder what will fill the incredible void left behind from shuttling the Space Shuttle Program that flew 135 missions, helped construct the International Space Station and inspired generations?
Look no further. The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is NASA’s first planned beyond-low-earth-orbit manned spacecraft since the Apollo era. Crewed missions will be sent to the Moon, asteroids and Mars. Each Orion spacecraft is projected to carry a crew of four or more astronauts. It is also planned as a backup for ISS cargo and/or crew delivery. The first planned test flight is set for September 2014.
Orion will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.
Of course, the Orion MPVC will find fierce competition from private industry and other countries like China, India, Russia, and the European community.
So hang in tight folks. Because we will see far more than one giant leap for mankind. Man and machinery will be going far deeper into space and at an accelerated pace in our immediate future.
The Oort Cloud is a spherical cloud of comets that lies at the outer reaches of our solar system, roughly one or maybe up to two light year away from our Sun.
The sphere was named after the astronomer Jan Oort who hypothesized its existence in 1950. Although it has not yet been proven through direct observation, the reality of the Oort Cloud is widely accepted in the scientific community.
It’s believed most comets originate from here and circle the Sun in every direction. They do not stay on the flat disk. These objects break the rules of the Solar System and create a sphere of trillions of comets around the Sun.
The comets (theoretically) where formed in then thrown out of the inner Solar System by Jupiter and Saturn as if the planets were giant sling shots.
The most famous object discovered in the Oort cloud is Sedna, a planet like transneptunian object orbiting our Sun that only approaches the Sun briefly during its 10,500 solar orbit.
Hi Stephen .. I've heard of both your Os and am somewhat wiser - but there is so much to learn and understand .. this is a great series ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteGlad NASA is continuing with space exploration.
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts about the Orion and the Oort cloud.
ReplyDeleteI got really excited when I first heard of Orion. He have the technology. I'd love to see us get to Mars before I kick the bucket. :)
ReplyDeleteSign me up. I'd love to see what's out there.
ReplyDeleteNice to see we are still moving forward into space.. The Orion looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteVisiting you on the 17th day of the #atozchallenge. Congratulations on this blog presentation and all the work you have put into it to make it interesting for our readers. If you have time or interest, I am writing about gardening and related topics this month. Having a wonderful time making new blogging friends. Stop by if you can.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about the new space program. I want the US back out there. I've heard of the Ort cloud but you taught me more as usual.
ReplyDeleteI'm also pleased NASA is getting back into the space business. Oort clouds conjure up Anne McCafffery's world of Pern to me, first time I had ever heard of an oort cloud. Always enjoy the information you provide.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I had not heard of the MPVC program. When the Space Shuttle program was at its peak, it sure was an exciting time.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's exciting. I remember most of our space exploration firsts, including listening with my sixth grade class to the live news broadcast of Alan Shepard's first trip into space. I love being here for another.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the class saying a prayer for him and our teacher crying for joy (into her lace hankie) when he came back safely. It was a different world.