What will Take us there?

With the Space Shuttles retired, NASA has moved on to the next big thing, Orion. Orion is being built by Lockheed Martin for NASA. This means that Lockheed Martin will build it while NASA oversees its construct to be sure it is being built right. NASA often contracts companies from the private sector to do the constructing of their projects. Orion will be able to take up to four astronauts to the moon, Mars, or a nearby asteroid.Orion  refers to the capsule that will be used to transport humans into space and beyond. The actual rocket that will propel Orion into space will vary due to specific needs of the mission at hand. If it is going to Mars, as apposed to the moon, it will need a more powerful rocket.

 Orion is currently in the development process. It has successfully completed its Abort Launch System test, its simulated splash landing test, its post-landing test,and its parachute test. A Delta IV Heavy will be used to send Orion into low-Earth orbit in 2014 for Orion's Exploration Flight Test 1. This will be Orion's first time in space, and this will test Orion's heat shield for re-entry.Orion will reach the highest altitude ever achieved since the Apollo program in order to simulate the re-entry from deep space. Orion's first manned mission is expected to take place by 2020 or later.

Once in space, Orion has its own thrusters to propel itself forward, so it is not entirely dependent on separate rockets. One of the features that makes Orion special is it Launch Abort System. If something goes critically wrong during launch then thrusters on the tip of the Orion capsule will ignite and send the capsule safely away from a rocket that could potentially explode. This system could save many crews or none at all, but it is definitely worth it to prevent another Challenger accident.

In addition to Orion, it is likely that a private company will develop, or be close to completion of a vehicle that will be capable of sending humans into space. Although, the range of that vehicle will probably not meet that of Orion. Also, other countries will likely be ready to send their own people into space. Countries like China and India are working diligently to catch up to the capabilities of countries that routinely participate in space activities like USA and Japan.