Learning The Lessons From Apollo

We've all heard that those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it... but what about those who take lessons from the past for the projects of today? Well, that's essentially what scientists at NASA are doing, as they finalize the design for America's next lunar rocket... and they're not ashamed to say it.

In fact, the Associated Press reports NASA scientists are not just reviewing old designs, or searching out used parts in some government warehouse -- they're going to museums, where some of NASA's relics from the program that landed men on the moon nearly 40 years ago are now displayed.

And furthermore, Marshall Space Flight Center manager Jim Snoddy says the approach is reaping real benefits... with his team incorporating elements of the Saturn 5 rocket's vintage third-stage J-2 motor in the design of the next-generation rocket's J-2X powerplant.

"We've gone back to the days of simplicity. You can get more complicated, but why bother?" Snoddy said.

Others have borrowed old Apollo-program operations manuals... snapped pictures of an unused Apollo-era lunar lander... all in an effort to 'get their hands on' the technology of yesterday, that will play a role in tomorrow's return to the moon.

"We're not inventing rocket engines. This is an evolution," NASA associate administrator Scott Horowitz said on a recent visit to Marshall. "You get the benefits of the heritage, but you also get the benefits of new technology to help drive down costs."

That will likely mean a six-man Ares capsule that looks an awful lot like an Apollo spacecraft on steroids... and a lunar lander that, like it's predecessor, will feature gangly spider-like landing legs. Hey, if it works... why mess with it?

FMI: www.nasa.gov