The planned Saturday evening launch of the space shuttle Endeavour may be the third orbiter flight this year, but it is one of just eight remaining missions before NASA mothballs its space plane fleet next year.

What Is Orion?
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Orion is a new NASA spacecraft. It will take astronauts into Earth orbit and also to the moon.

How Big Is Orion?

The Orion capsule will be able to take up to six astronauts to the International Space Station. Four astronauts will be able to ride in Orion to the moon. The capsule will also have room for supplies.

How Will Orion Take Astronauts Into Space?

Orion will be launched on an Ares I ("air-eez one") rocket. Ares I is made up of two parts. After launch, the first stage will fall back to Earth. The upper stage will carry Orion into orbit around Earth.

What Is the Ares V?

The Ares V rocket is much bigger than the Ares I. Ares V is made of two main parts. Once the rocket is launched, the boosters will fall back to Earth. For moon missions, an Ares V rocket will be launched first, before the Ares I and Orion. Ares V will carry the Altair moon lander into orbit around Earth.

What Is Altair?

Altair will be the new moon lander for astronauts. It will have room for air and other supplies. Astronauts will be able to live on the moon for a week using Altair.

How Will Orion and Altair Take Astronauts to the Moon?

Once they are both in Earth orbit, Orion will connect with Altair. Then, the top stage of the Ares V will push the two vehicles out of Earth orbit and to the moon.

How Will Astronauts Land on the Moon?

The four astronauts will move from the Orion capsule to Altair. The two spacecraft will separate. Altair will then travel to the moon's surface. Orion will orbit around the moon with no one aboard. At the end of the mission, Altair will take off from the moon and connect with Orion.