Image above: NASA's Constellation Program is getting to work on the new spacecraft that will return humans to the moon and blaze a trail to Mars and beyond. This artist's rendering represents a concept of a crew exploration vehicle (CEV) and service module. Image credit: NASA

Its name is Orion

A ham radio operator now in space, has let slip that the next mission to explore the Moon will be named Orion.

Astronaut Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, let slip the spaceship's identity on Tuesday, August 22nd while pre-taping a message for NASA that was accidentally transmitted in the clear.

The space agency had planned to reveal the new name on August 31st along with the identity of the contractor that will build the vehicle.

While the agency told everyone on mother Earth to keep mum regarding the name, apparently it never bothered to tell Williams.

According to news reports, the transmission quoted KD5TVQ as saying:

"We've been calling it the Crew Exploration Vehicle for several years, but today it has a name - Orion,"

The new Crew Exploration Vehicle will replace the Space Shuttle program after it ends in 2010. Earlier this summer, NASA announced the names of the rockets that will propel the Crew Exploration Vehicle and cargo ships. They will be known as Ares I and Ares V.

It should be noted that the accidental open transmission took place on NASA Air to Ground radio and not on the ARISS ham radio in space channels.

Source: Amateur Radio Newsline

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