If you haven't heard already, NASA announced today that they have a new vehicle in design, the DSES or Deep Space Exploration System (Though I think DSV - Deep Space Vehicle - sounds way better) that will ferry astronauts to the Moon and then to Mars. They say it is supposed to be able to carry around 130 metric tons. My theory is that that is based on current technology. Who knows where we'll be in six years, that number may just go up.
NASA DSES
The rocket won't be ready until 2017 unfortunately, so we still have a ways to go. But not only is returning to the moon looking more feesable, but seeing a colony there in my lifetime is looking very possible.
I still say that NASA should not only work on this system, but an unmanned delivery vehicle. Sacrificing crew compartments for cargo space would be an easier way to make large deliveries to any future bases.
All in all, I'm glad to hear this annoucement. It's a step in the right direction. It could also foster international competition among the space agencies which could lead to better delivery systems.
NASA DSES
The rocket won't be ready until 2017 unfortunately, so we still have a ways to go. But not only is returning to the moon looking more feesable, but seeing a colony there in my lifetime is looking very possible.
I still say that NASA should not only work on this system, but an unmanned delivery vehicle. Sacrificing crew compartments for cargo space would be an easier way to make large deliveries to any future bases.
All in all, I'm glad to hear this annoucement. It's a step in the right direction. It could also foster international competition among the space agencies which could lead to better delivery systems.
