Discuss: Constellation Program - Altair Lander

[bigdad84]

Do you think NASA was on track with the Altair lander design? The integrated airlock would of been a nice addition to the lander But the fact that the Lander was also needed to preform the Lunar Orbital Insertion Burn instead of the "command module"... To me it seems like an extra waste of mass that you would in turn have to take down the Lunar service.

Would you of preferred a more iconic look similar to the LM... To me it seems the Descent stage is way overly large compared to the small "load" its landing with. I guess it's just me, I would like to have my spacecraft look awesome and function awesome at the same time

[Canopus]

The Lander needed to do the insertion burn on its own so that it could also be used without the Orion MPCV for Cargo missions.

[ShachonianX]

It's too ugly. They should probably try re-making the Apollo lander. But hey, if it works, it works.

[bigdad84]

The Lander needed to do the insertion burn on its own so that it could also be used without the Orion MPCV for Cargo missions.

I guess I overlooked that. I had read somewhere that cargo missions would always be accompanied by a manned mission.

It's too ugly. They should probably try re-making the Apollo lander. But hey, if it works, it works.

I do agree that it is overly ugly. The LEM had its iconic gold colors decent stage, and boxy "unaerodynamic" design. While the Altair lander actually looks somewhat aerodynamic.

[Canopus]

I guess I overlooked that. I had read somewhere that cargo missions would always be accompanied by a manned mission.

No that would be totally useless, because the crew couldn't land with the cargo.

[Canopus]

It's too ugly. They should probably try re-making the Apollo lander. But hey, if it works, it works.

have you ever noticed how small the LEM was?

[bigdad84]

No that would be totally useless, because the crew couldn't land with the cargo.

It was actually a proposed derivative to the LM. It would be accompanied by crew to Lunar Orbit where they would "guide" it to a landing near the base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Lunar_Module#Proposed_derivatives

[bigdad84]

have you ever noticed how small the LEM was?

Remaking it to be larger but using the same design... If it's proven itself, don't change it. The LM was the only part of the Apollo program that never experienced any problems and actually exceeded its design capabilities while being used as a "lifeboat" for the Apollo 13 mission.

[Canopus]

It was actually a proposed derivative to the LM. It would be accompanied by crew to Lunar Orbit where they would "guide" it to a landing near the base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Lunar_Module#Proposed_derivatives

Flying a crew out to the Moon to remote control a lander? There is no noticable delay from the earth to the Moon.

[Canopus]

Remaking it to be larger but using the same design... If it's proven itself, don't change it. The LM was the only part of the Apollo program that never experienced any problems and actually exceeded its design capabilities while being used as a "lifeboat" for the Apollo 13 mission.

the constellation mission where expected to last 2 weeks on the moon before a small station would be build. Do you want to live that long in a room like the LEM?

[bigdad84]

Flying a crew out to the Moon to remote control a lander? There is no noticable delay from the earth to the Moon.

That was exactly my thoughts, but it's still always a better option to have an actual human in place of computers...

[Canopus]

That was exactly my thoughts, but it's still always a better option to have an actual human in place of computers...

But its not needed anymore in these days.

[bigdad84]

the constellation mission where expected to last 2 weeks on the moon before a small station would be build. Do you want to live that long in a room like the LEM?

Lol, no it would not bother me. If it was only for a couple of weeks. Plus i'd be on the MOON!

[LaydeeDem]

Lol, no it would not bother me. If it was only for a couple of weeks. Plus i'd be on the MOON!

The LEM had walls as thin as sheets of tinfoil. While that didn't really matter for a day long excursion, lot can go wrong in two weeks.

Also why are people complaining about the Atlair being "ugly"? I would rather have a ship that actually does its job than sitting around looking nice.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Nutt007

[bigdad84]

The LEM had walls as thin as sheets of tinfoil. While that didn't really matter for a day long excursion, lot can go wrong in two weeks.

Also why are people complaining about the Atlair being "ugly"? I would rather have a ship that actually does its job than sitting around looking nice.

I guess it would just take me awhile to come around to the design of the thing. Even though we will probably never see it fly in our lifetime.

[Canopus]

I guess it would just take me awhile to come around to the design of the thing. Even though we will probably never see it fly in our lifetime.

Not the Altair but maybe this one:

[bigdad84]

What is that....?

Looks like an englarged Soviet Union LK moon lander

[OtherDalfite]

I don't really get the hate for the Altair, I think it looks pretty slick. Besides, who DOESN'T love a bigger lander?

[Canopus]

What is that....?

Looks like an englarged Soviet Union LK moon lander

It is a reusable Lunar Lander from the new SLS, that maybe docked on a Space station on the L2 point from the Earth and Moon, able to fly shuttle missions to the moon. Much better than the Altair if you ask me

[nhnifong]

Going to the moon again was a cop-out because the mars funding dried up. The whole point was to go somewhere new.

[bigdad84]

We're never gonna get anywhere...

[Canopus]

We're never gonna get anywhere...

Don't be to sure about that