Moon1 vs. Moon2: Differences in U.S. manned lunar programs

William Atkins
Thursday, 09 April 2009 20:37

Science - Space

ATHLETE is a prototype vehicle that will be used to move things around on the Moon. NASA says, "It's basically a big flatbed truck, so you can put things on it to move them around…. A prototype built at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has wheels on the end of each leg. That way, it can roll under the lander module, for example, lift it up, and roll it to another location -- stepping over boulders that might lie in the way."

"Astronauts could also replace the wheel on one or more legs with drills or other tools so that ATHLETE can help them with other maintenance or exploration tasks.”

For additional information on NASA’s ATHLETE, go to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s article “The ATHLETE Rover.”

LUNAR VEHICLE

Fourth, when Apollo astronauts first drove a vehicle on the Moon it resembled a dune buggy, and it was even called by the nickname "moonbuggy." NASA stated, “If you've seen those videos of astronauts driving the Apollo rover on the Moon, you've seen that the ride was pretty harsh.”

However the new Moon vehicles will look more like an RV (recreational vehicle).

NASA states, “It will have an enclosed cabin complete with sleeping space so that astronauts can rest during long excursions. Bubble-shaped windows will let explorers observe the lunar surface up close without leaving the safety of the vehicle.”

“Sometimes, though, nothing can replace getting out and doing some hands-on exploration. Spacesuits attached to the outside of rover will make it easy for astronauts to slide directly into the suits from the comfort of the cabin -- no airlock required. And those spacesuits will be able to handle much longer exposure to abrasive lunar dust than Apollo suits could.”

NASA’s articles “NASA's Newest Concept Vehicles Take Off-Roading Out of This World” and “NASA Tests Rover Concepts in Arizona” provides additional information.

Even though similiarities exist between Moon1 (Apollo) and Moon2 (Constellation), a lot of things have changed in fifty years. But, it is also wise to go with things that you know work, thus, many things will look the same when comparing the general features of Apollo and Constellation.

Hopefully, the one thing that will clearly differentiate Constellation from Apollo is that the United States federal space policy will not stop sending astronauts to celestial bodies once the program ends.