posted 09-01-2006 05:30 PM               

1) Project Constellation is the name of the overall effort (similar to Project Apollo)?

2) Project Ares is the name of the project to develop the booster (similar to Saturn)?

3) Project Orion is the name of the project to develop the crew vehicle? Also known as the CEV?

I'm interested in this stuff and I can't seem to keep it all straight. Can't imagine what the confusion is like in the general public.

If anyone could help clarify my stupid question I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

posted 09-01-2006 05:39 PM               

(1) No. Constellation is not a Project. Its a Program. There isn't an Apollo-era equivalent other than the Manned Space Flight Program. The Constellation Program encompasses all future manned and unmanned NASA exploration efforts.

(2) Yes.

(3) Yes and like Apollo, it will also be the name of the missions, e.g. Orion 11 will fly the Orion crew in an Orion command module.

posted 09-01-2006 08:22 PM               

Thanks for clarifying. I was getting confused reading all of the recent reports in the news.