The MPCV being assembled and tested at Lockheed Martin

Click on the image for full resolution

The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) being assembled and tested at Lockheed Martin's Vertical Testing Facility in Colorado.
Credit: Lockheed Martin

Artist's rendering of the MPCV on a Manned Mission to Mars

Click on the image to enlarge

Artist's rendering of the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle on a deep space manned mission to Mars.
The Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is based on the Orion design requirements for traveling beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The MPCV will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.
- Spacecraft to serve as the primary crew vehicle for missions beyond LEO, like Moon or Mars Manned missions.
- Capable of conducting regular in-space operations (rendezvous, docking, extravehicular activity) in conjunction with payloads delivered by SLS for missions beyond LEO.
- Capability to be a backup system for ISS cargo and crew delivery.
Drawing from more than 50 years of spaceflight research and development, the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is designed to meet the evolving needs of our nation's space program for decades to come.
As the flagship of our nation's next-generation space fleet, the MPCV will push the envelope of human spaceflight far beyond low Earth orbit. The MPCV may resemble its Apollo-era predecessors, but its technology and capability are light years apart. The MPCV features dozens of technology advancements and innovations that have been incorporated into the spacecraft's subsystem and component design. To support long-duration deep space missions of up to six months, NASA engineers are developing a state-of-the-art spacecraft. The MPCV's unique life support, propulsion, thermal protection and avionics systems will enable integration of new technical innovations in the future. Building upon the best of human spaceflight design and experience, the MPCV spacecraft includes both crew and service modules, a spacecraft adaptor, and a revolutionary launch abort system that will significantly increase crew safety. The MPCV's crew module is much larger than Apollo's and can support more crew members for short or long-duration spaceflight missions. The service module is the powerhouse that fuels and propels the spacecraft as well as the storehouse for the life-sustaining air and water astronauts need during their space travels. The service module's structure will also provide places to mount scientific experiments and cargo. The MPCV is capable of transporting astronauts on a variety of expeditions beyond low Earth orbit - ushering in a new era of space exploration.
Credit: NASA
Image Credit: John Frassanito & Associates

NASA's vision of manned Mars exploration: more than a dream?

Click on the image for full resolution (6.6 MB)

In this artist's concept of a future Mars mission, two explorers stop to inspect a robotic lander and its small rover after driving a short distance from their landing site. This stop also allows the crew to check out the life support systems of their rover and space suits within walking distance of the base.
The Vision for Space Exploration calls for NASA to return to the Moon and eventually explore Mars and beyond.
The full resolution image weighs 6.6 MB, so please be patient when downloading!
Credit: NASA/Pat Rawlings, SAIC