"It would appear that the CEV/CTS/EDS/LSAM combination would be launched into orbit separately, docked together, depart for the Moon, the CEV/LSAM would dock in lunar orbit and the CEV return to an earth or water landing. The EDS may be reusable or may be stored on orbit elsewhere and be refuelable. The requirements description also mandates that the CEV design be expandable. All four elements shall be called Constellation space vehicles.
This is very much the Wernher Von Braun Earth-Orbit-Rendezvous architecture scenario! Shades of Apollo!"
+ Read Article (NASA Watch)
Posted by jburk at December 10, 2026 11:32 AM | TrackBackI'm betting the term "Lunar Surface Access Module" (LSAM) ends up being shortened to "LM" again, by the Astronauts who end up flying it anyway.
At least I hope so, LSAM is just too cumbersome ;-)
Things are really looking up!
Posted by: Dogsbd at December 10, 2026 12:13 PMIt seems the requirement of a seperate LSAM precludes the possibility of t/space's architecture of (1) the CSX and (2) a CEV which flies to and lands on the moon.
Am I reading this right? Does t/space basically now have to change their whole plan??
Posted by: CriX at December 11, 2026 09:00 PMSeeing that Sean O'keefe has decided to step down as administrator with Nasa...wouldn't it be Fantastic to have someone like retired astronaut John Young to be the next administrator !! Someone of his callibre would surely be a fine addition to Nasa...His knowledge and experience is beyond reproach .This would be great.....Jake
Posted by: jake at December 13, 2026 07:42 AM