NEW SPACECRAFT ON TAP FIRMS COMPETING FOR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS WITH NASA.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Lockheed Martin Corp. and a partnership between Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing Co. were selected by NASA to compete for the rights to develop the nation's next manned spacecraft.

The two contracting teams will devise plans for a spacecraft called the Crew Exploration Vehicle that will replace the three surviving space shuttles and are to play a key role in America's return to the moon.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration wants the CEV to be able to carry up to six astronauts into low-Earth orbit soon after the space shuttle fleet is retired in 2010.

NASA plans to select a single contractor to build the spacecraft in 2006.

Lockheed Martin has released artist renderings of its CEV concept showing a lifting body craft. A lifting body is an aircraft that uses its body shape rather than wings to generate the lift needed to fly in the atmosphere.

The design allows the craft to fly farther to a landing site after returning from space than a capsule design, officials said. It also allows for less gravity loads on astronauts during re-entry from moon or Mars missions.

Lockheed Martin's Palmdale operations contributed to the proposal effort with aerodynamic and wind-tunnel consulting.

The Northrop Grumman-Boeing team has not disclosed details on their concept, which is believed to be a space capsule.

``The Northrop Grumman-Boeing Crew Exploration Vehicle team will readily meet NASA's challenge to develop the safest, most affordable, most reliable human space-transportation system ever conceived,'' said Doug Young, Northrop Grumman's lead executive for Constellation Systems and its CEV program manager.

Northrop Grumman is proposed to serve as the partnership's leader during the initial phases of the CEV program in low-Earth orbit. Boeing would be principal subcontractor.

Boeing would serve as the prime contractor for the lunar mission elements, and Northrop Grumman would be the principal subcontractor.

``We've committed our best people and resources to this program,'' said Keith Reiley, Boeing Space Exploration Systems chief engineer and deputy program manager. ``We are confident we can offer NASA a simple, flexible Crew Exploration Vehicle that supports low-Earth orbit and lunar operations.''

Antelope Valley officials are optimistic that testing of technologies such as new rocket engines for the effort will be done at Edwards Air Force Base.

During a May 24 visit to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin said he expects that the center will be the site for approach-and-landing testing much as it was for the space shuttle.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 3 -- color; 1 ran in AV edition only; 2 color in AV edition only -- 2 ran in AV and SAC edition only; 3 ran AV edition only) A cutaway view of Lockheed Martin's new spaceship plan, top, shows habitation space inside the Crew Exploration Vehicle. At left, the CEV's radiators and solar panels are deployed for lunar missions. At right is a detailed look at the craft.

Lockheed Martin