http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/cev/index_noaccess.htmlthe above link takes you to the nasa pages which detail about the new space vehicle. Since i have found no name given we'll call it "The Ferry".
Nasa plan to currently take the solid rocket boosters and convert them into a apollo project type spaceship. As you will see the command module looks the same as apollo but it is now 3 times the size of apollo which houses 4 astronauts. Apprently 2008 (may be mistaken tho) will see the maiden voyage of this ship as it will be currently primarily used to ferry astronauts to and from the international space station upon completion. Nasa are also planning for a "cargo" rocket which will launch the lunar lander and the new "saturn-V" type rocket. the command module (as the plans say) docks with both and then flies to the moon. the usual moon mission applies from there on but they hope to land by 2018. nasa also are planning on setting up stations on the moon so they are now looking forward to planning a moon colony and have also revealed that from there we look on to Mars.
interesting stuff but to be honest i don't see why they will have to launch a seperate vehicle into orbit before going to the moon. why can't they just repeat apollo only updated. when apollo was going to skylab they still used the saturn rockets and that's just going into orbit. Actually forgot to say these rockets are fully reusable so maybe thats why but still have a look folks. very interesting prospects
