Why haven't we been back?

[Bindare_Dundat]

Lockheed Martin and Boeing as a government project part of the EELV  program.


The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) is a United States government program, primarily a Department of Defense–sponsored effort begun in the 1990s. Its goal is to develop at least one family of space launch vehicles, that would meet the long term needs of the military and fulfill commercial and government need for cost-efficient and reliable access to Earth orbit.

So it was developed by Lockheed and purchased by the government? Is that pretty much the extent of it?  Who developed the Ares rocket and why didn't they choose it for the latest mission?

[The True Adonis]

So it was developed by Lockheed and purchased by the government? Is that pretty much the extent of it?  Who developed the Ares rocket and why didn't they choose it for the latest mission?

No.  The money was put up by the government using government research and the two companies, in their joint venture, were awarded a contract.

[Bindare_Dundat]

No.  The money was put up by the government using government research and the two companies, in their joint venture, were awarded a contract.

Hmmm, I just read an article that suggested that Lockheed, (a private company), developed the Atlas rocket and that it was used over the Nasa developed Ares rocket because it was cheaper. I'll have to go over it again. As far as the government research on the Atlas is concerned, could you be a bit more specific. Thanks.

[HDPhysiques]

No, the Ares rocket is what they are working on now - it's not ready yet.   It has it's first test flight later this summer. (was originally supposed to be June, now pushed back to late summer).   The Ares I and the Ares V are the 2 launch vehicles for the Constellation program, which replaces the Space Shuttle program.  They hope to have Ares I ready for human transportation into space by 2015.  Then, along with the Ares V, they'll begin long duration space flight missions, long term lunar stays, and eventually on to a manned mission to Mars. (which will be approx and 2.5 year round trip journey due to distance travelled).  The Constellation program is already well under way, but there are still many groups trying to pursuade NASA that there are other, more cost effective solutions available, such as using Delta IV H (heavy) in place of the Ares V, and reconfiguring Atlas and other Delta rockets in place of the Ares I. 

[Bindare_Dundat]

No, the Ares rocket is what they are working on now - it's not ready yet.   It has it's first test flight later this summer. (was originally supposed to be June, now pushed back to late summer).   The Ares I and the Ares V are the 2 launch vehicles for the Constellation program, which replaces the Space Shuttle program.  They hope to have Ares I ready for human transportation into space by 2015.  Then, along with the Ares V, they'll begin long duration space flight missions, long term lunar stays, and eventually on to a manned mission to Mars. (which will be approx and 2.5 year round trip journey due to distance travelled).  The Constellation program is already well under way, but there are still many groups trying to pursuade NASA that there are other, more cost effective solutions available, such as using Delta IV H (heavy) in place of the Ares V, and reconfiguring Atlas and other Delta rockets in place of the Ares I. 

thanks for the clarification.