Crew Exploration Vehicle
The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) is NASA's proposed series of human spaceflight spacecraft, intended to replace the space shuttle system. The project to develop and test the CEV is Project Constellation.
Design
As of 2004, NASA has not made any design decisions. However, it is likely that the CEV will follow the module and capsule design principles used in the Apollo, Gemini, Soyuz and Shenzhou systems, instead of the reusable spaceplane design principle used in the space shuttle system. The CEV will launch on an expendable launch system and carry crew to low Earth orbit, the moon, Mars, and other destinations.
Origin
The proposal to create the CEV is partly a reaction to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report and the White House's review of the American space program.
The CEV replaces the Orbital Space Plane (OSP) program.
In 2004, President George W. Bush announced the CEV as part of the "A Renewed Spirit of Discovery" vision:
- "Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no later than 2014. The Crew Exploration Vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and scientists to the Space Station after the shuttle is retired. But the main purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo Command Module."
Funding
President Bush's budget request for Financial Year 2005 includes: "$428 million for Project Constellation ($6.6 billion over five years) to develop a new crew exploration vehicle." The President's budget request has not been through the budget process.
See also
External links
Referenced By
Columbia disaster | NASA | National Aeronautic and Space Administration | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | National Aeronautics and Space Agency | Shuttle program | Space Exploration | Space Shuttle | Space Shuttle Columbia disaster | Space Shuttle Columbia explosion | Space Shuttle program | Space ship | Space travel | Spacecraft | Spaceflight | Spaceship | Spaceships
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