The MPCV....The Next Step Of Human Space Travel....

I have several passions in my life. But my greatest may be the exploration of space. In fact, there may not be anything else I invest my total emotion into. I dream of new worlds, of new life, of new possibilities. And not a second goes by when I'm not thinking about what could be. And I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. People all around the world, from the beginning of time, have looked up and had dreams of infinity. And for years we as a species have worked towards the day when we could fly among the stars.

Beyond Our World is a Universe of Possibility.

The past few decades have been a gift; entering Earth orbit, walking in Space, walking on the Moon, looking into the distant Universe, launching probes to Mars and beyond, creating a permanent base of operations in space in the International Space Station and deploying Robots specially designed for space operations. Slowly but surely we are achieving our dreams.


The First Human in Space.

Walking In Space.

Walking on the Moon.

The Hubble Telescope.

The MIR Space Station.

The Space Shuttle.

One of several probes on Mars.

The ISS, the International Space Station.

The RoboNaut.

Our imaginations are becoming reality. But the Space Shuttle program is coming to an end, and with that long overdue end we must once again create a new chariot to carry us forward. One of those chariots is the MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) aka ORION, the flagship of the countries next-generation of space fleet. I get giddy at the words, space fleet. It is what its acronym implies. A space vehicle conceived and designed for multiple tasks, but ultimately for space travel beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Missions aboard the MPCV could last up to six months at a time. With the vehicle itself being one of the safest ever developed, and capable of housing more crew members than any vehicle before.

The MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) aka Orion, Cross Section. Photo from NASA.

NASA facilities and industry experts from across the country have been developing the MPCV for years. Sometimes under different programs and titles, their tireless efforts are finally coming together. And the MPCV is allowing a more capable and affordable future in space to emerge.

Timeline of Development. Photo from NASA.

Under Construction.

This is but one craft, one of several in active development all over the world. Some being created by national programs, and some by private corporations. But the ultimate goal remains the same, mostly. To take human beings to the stars and beyond. We'll be returning to the moon within the next two decades or so, and after that we'll be headed for Mars. Likely, first to orbit and on a second mission to finally land. Think about it. Within our lifetimes we will be finally be walking on an alien planet.

artist Interpretation of the MPCV on a Deep Space Mission.

I firmly believe that we are at the beginning of a new age of Space Exploration. All we need to do is embrace it. The MPCV and the other craft that are in development give us a means, but it's up to us to commit to the path. I for one choose to fly, how about you?



USS ENTERPRISE or the NSEA PROTECTOR, either way we'll make it.