Gallery: Visions of Deep Space Stations for Exploration

More Albums

The Cassini spacecraft has been studying Saturn and its moons since it entered orbit in 2004. These 15 snapshots were some of its most popular as Cassini began an extended mission that now stretches to 2017. This image, taken on Oct. 5, 2008, is a stunnin

The Rings and Moons of Saturn

Huge Asteroid Apophis Revealed in Photos

Image of the Day: December 2012

Giant ALMA Radio Telescope in Chile: Inauguration Day (Photos)

The 'Space Window' at Washington National Cathedral features a moon rock returned to Earth by Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crew.

The Space Window at the the U.S. National Cathedral (Photos)

Photos: Glimpses of Secretive Blue Origin's Private Spaceships

1 of 12

Telescope Approaches a "Gateway"-type Habitat

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

A large telescope (foreground) approaches a "Gateway"-type habitat in preparation for upgrade and repair.

2 of 12

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Approaching an “Gateway”-type Habitat

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

Close-up of Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle approaching an inflatable “Gateway”-type habitat.

3 of 12

Robotic Upgrade of Space Telescope

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

A Gateway inflatable habitation facility carrying out robotic upgrade of a on-orbit imaging system.

4 of 12

Concept for a "Depot Farm"

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

A libration-point concept for a "depot farm" in support of lunar surface exploration.

5 of 12

A Libration-point Concept for Depoting

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

A libration-point concept for depoting in support of lunar surface exploration with Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle attached.

6 of 12

Lunar Surface Robot Departs

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

Advanced lunar surface robot departs libration-point operations and habitation facility.

7 of 12

Upgrade of Telescopes

Credit: NASA and John Frassanito & Associates

Upgrade of telescopes at Earth-Moon L1, L2.

8 of 12

Lunar Surface Robotic Control

Credit: Dan Lester

Lunar surface robotic control from an L-point habitation and operations site.

9 of 12

Manned Waypoint Near Lunar Farside

Credit: Lockheed Martin

Artist's concept of astronauts in an Orion capsule helping direct robotic teleoperations on the moon's farside.

10 of 12

Centaur Boosting Orion to the Moon

Credit: Lockheed Martin

In one proposal for a trip to the L2 point, Orion capsule would be launched to Low Earth Orbit on a rocket such as a Delta IV Heavy or Ares I. Then, a modified Centaur upper stage would launch on a separate rocket. Orion would dock to the Centaur stage in orbit, and the Centaur would boost Orion towards the Moon.

11 of 12

Mission to the Farside of the Moon

Credit: Lockheed Martin

This artist's conception shows an Orion capsule on the farside of the moon.

12 of 12

Orion at the L2 Point

Credit: Lockheed Martin

This artist's conception shows an Orion capsule at the L2 point on the farside of the moon.

Gallery: Visions of Deep Space Stations for Exploration

Telescope Approaches a "Gateway"-type Habitat

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Approaching an “Gateway”-type Habitat

Robotic Upgrade of Space Telescope

Concept for a "Depot Farm"

A Libration-point Concept for Depoting

Lunar Surface Robot Departs

Upgrade of Telescopes

Lunar Surface Robotic Control

Manned Waypoint Near Lunar Farside

Centaur Boosting Orion to the Moon

Mission to the Farside of the Moon

Orion at the L2 Point

SUBSCRIBE TO SPACE.COM