NASA to use moon capsule for other space missions

Houston: NASA has unveiled a new look and name for its previously planned moon capsule.

The crew capsule named Orion was a cornerstone of former President George W Bush`s plan to return astronauts to the moon. A year ago, President Barack Obama scrapped the moon mission but saved Orion, possibly for an escape pod at the International Space Station.

Tuesday`s announcement gives the spacecraft a new name the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. NASA says the capsule will carry four astronauts on 21-day missions and will be able to land in the Pacific Ocean.

Its destination would be beyond Earth`s orbit, perhaps to an asteroid.

Still in development is a giant rocket that would send the capsule away from Earth.

Bureau Report