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Author
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Topic: Constellation mission designations
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KSCartist Member Posts: 3047 From: Titusville, FL Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 04-13-2009 03:53 AM
Excellent essay by Bill Pogue on Naming Spacecraft. Following up on that, what will they call the manned missions for the next program?During the Gemini and Apollo Programs the missions were designated "Gemini #" and "Apollo #" so will these missions be referred to as Constellation #? (a bit long) Or since they are flying in an Orion CM will they be named "Orion #?" But then they went and named the LM or LSAM "Altair" so that doesn't really work then because obviously there will be an "Orion/Altair" docked spacecraft going to the Moon. Any word on the crew picking names as the Apollo crews did? Tim |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 50516 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2009 08:45 AM
When the Orion and Altair monikers were announced, NASA said it would have no problem with individual crews naming their spacecraft. It is too early to say if that will be what happens. As the crews will launch on Orions atop Ares I rockets, separate from Altair LSAMs aboard the more massive Ares V boosters, the current nomenclature suggests missions will be Orion numbered. Remember that the Apollo-era need for two call signs given two crewed vehicles won't be as pressing, given that Orion will fly autonomously while its crew is on the lunar surface. |
John Charles Member Posts: 342 From: Houston, Texas, USA Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 04-13-2009 02:51 PM
An internal manifest from May 2008 shows the Constellation missions listed as Orion 1 through Orion 20 (launching on Ares I boosters) and Altair 1-4 (launching on Ares V boosters). (Arabic numerals for Orion and Altair, roman numerals for Ares.)Joint launches are shown as Altair 1 with unmanned Orion 13 for tests, then Altair 2 with Orion 15 (crewed), Altair 3 with Orion 17 and Altair 4 with Orion 19. Odd Orion numbers to the moon, even to ISS maybe? Of course, we know from STS numbering how quickly a nice, predictable sequence can get out of whack! ------------------ John Charles Houston, Texas | |
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Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
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