NASA Review Has Humans Returning To The Moon + Establishing A Base by 2020

NASA engineers and scientists have completed a milestone review to help determine the systems needed to return humans to the moon and establish a lunar outpost. The three-day Lunar Capability Concept Review capped a nine-month study that was led by the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The review incorporated science and exploration objectives that were earlier developed by representatives of 14 countries, all as part of the Global Exploration Strategy. According to Jeff Hanley, Constellation Program Manager at Johnson Space Center, the study bears out the strength of the initial concepts showing the vehicles can be built and delivered in time to return humans to the moon by 2020. Phase A begins the process of defining the vehicle and element requirements. During this phase, the Ares V and Altair Project teams will take what was learned from the Lunar Capability Concept Review and baseline the needs for lunar missions, establish the design needs and determine plans for advancing the technologies needed to be successful. Phase A will culminate in a Systems Requirements Review for NASA’s lunar transportation architecture, tentatively planned for 2010.