NASA accelerates moon program

NASA is altering its architecture for returning to the moon, aiming to get astronauts back to the lunar surface faster than previously planned.

The new "Lunar Sooner" plan would return U.S. explorers to the moon around 2017, a year ahead of previous plans. President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration calls for launching an initial astronaut sortie to the moon between 2015 and 2020.

The plan reduces the number of development projects, and thus the technical risk, NASA faces in putting together the rockets and spaceships that will be used to send astronauts to the moon.

NASA now plans a Crew Launch Vehicle that will comprise a five-segment solid rocket booster and an upper stage powered by a modified version of an Apollo-era J2 engine.

Previously, the agency aimed to build an initial version of the CLV with a modified four-segment shuttle solid rocket booster and an upper stage powered by an air-lit shuttle main engine.

Both the five-segment SRB and the J2 upper stage engine will be required for a Saturn 5-class heavy-lift cargo rocket for moon missions.

The Lunar Sooner plan skips development of the four-segment booster and the air-lit shuttle main engine. The agency also is postponing plans to develop a new engine fueled by liquid oxygen and methane.

Here's an internal presentation that outlines the rationale for the accelerated program:

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