U.S. and Europe may explore Moon together

William Atkins
Wednesday, 09 July 2008 22:18

Science - Space

In NASA’s plans, the U.S. space agency is using an “open architecture” approach to its twenty-first century return to the Moon.

This OA approach will allow for other countries to join the United States in its pursue to land humans on the Moon and to establish lunar outposts on our nearest neighbor in the solar system.

NASA is currently developing the Ares I and V launch vehicles (rockets) to send Orion crew exploration vehicles (space capsules) into space, which will in turn allow Altair lunar landers to set foot on the Moon.

For additional information on NASA's future exploration plans, please visit NASA Exploration: "NASA’s plans to Explore the Moon, Mars, and Beyond.”

ESA is currently in the conceptual stage of its lunar exploration program. It is looking into the possibility of using an unmanned Ariane 5-based lunar cargo landing system and manned systems for its exploration of the Moon.

For more information about ESA's exploration program, please go to ESA Exploration: "Human Spacecraft and Exploration.”