Orion 15

Infobox Space mission
mission_name = Orion 15 & Altair 2 (Human Lunar Return)
command_module = Orion 15
lunar_module = Altair 2
insignia = Constellation logo white.svg
launch_vehicle = Ares I
launch_pad = Launch Pad 39B
launch = June, 2019
lunar_landing =
landing =
duration =
altitude = ~65 nautical miles (~105 km) in lunar orbit
inclination = ~0 to 30 degrees
distance = TBD
crew_photo =
crew_caption =
previous = Orion 13 & Altair 1 ("lunar")
Orion 14 ("ISS")
next = Orion 16 ("ISS")
Orion 17 & Altair 3 ("lunar")

Orion 15 (Human Lunar Return) is the name of a lunar sortie mission NASA expects to conduct in June, 2019. [ cite web | url = http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5335 | title = $700m gap threatens major delays to Ares test flights/development | publisher = NASAspaceflight.com|date=2008-01-18|accessdate=2008-02-01] The mission, which will use an Orion spacecraft and Altair lunar lander being developed by Project Constellation, will be NASA's first human spaceflight mission to attempt a lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. Assuming no other nation lands a human spaceflight mission on the moon until 2019, it will be the seventh human lunar landing in history and also mark the first time since 1972 that any humans will walk on the moon.

Orion 15 will be the first of a series of seven day missions carrying a crew of four to the Moon to begin setting up a Lunar outpost. A landing site has not yet been chosen, but it is likely to be at either the lunar north or south pole. [ [http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/dec/HQ_06361_ESMD_Lunar_Architecture.html 'NASA Unveils Global Exploration Strategy and Lunar Architecture'] , "NASA", Dec. 4, 2006]

Notes

ee also

*List of Constellation missions