spacetoday.net: NASA makes exploration field assignments

Posted: Wed, Oct 31, 2007, 7:08 AM ET (1108 GMT)
Orion spacecraft illustration (Lockheed Martin)

NASA announced on Tuesday a series of assignments to its field centers that outline their long-term responsibilities in carrying out the Vision for Space Exploration. The assignments cover development of the Ares 5 launch vehicle, Earth Departure Stage, lunar lander, and other elements associated with plans to mount human missions to the Moon by the end of the next decade. While work on many of those programs won't begin for several years, the assignments allow the centers to make their own long-term plans for personnel and facilities. NASA also announced the formation of the NASA Lunar Science Institute, a virtual organization that will tie together scientists around the country for work on various aspects of lunar research. The institute will be managed by the Ames Research Center in California.