Altair (spacecraft)

Altair, also known as the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM), was a planned lunar lander spacecraft designed by NASA as part of the Constellation program. Its primary mission was to transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface of the Moon and back. The Constellation program was initiated in the mid-2000s with the goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2020 as a precursor to future missions to Mars.

Altair was intended to be a two-stage vehicle, consisting of a descent stage and an ascent stage. The descent stage would provide the thrust and landing gear necessary to land on the lunar surface. It was also designed to carry scientific equipment, lunar rovers, and other supplies. The ascent stage would house the crew cabin, life support systems, and an ascent engine to return the astronauts to lunar orbit, where they would rendezvous with the Orion spacecraft for the journey back to Earth.

The Altair design emphasized cargo capacity and operational flexibility. The descent stage was capable of delivering a significant payload to the lunar surface, enabling extended surface missions. The ascent stage could accommodate up to four astronauts.

However, the Constellation program, including the Altair lander, was cancelled in 2010 due to budget constraints and a shift in priorities. While the Altair spacecraft never progressed beyond the design and testing phase, its development contributed to advancements in lunar lander technology and provided valuable insights for future human space exploration endeavors. Some of the technology and research developed for Altair may have influenced subsequent lunar lander designs and concepts. The program's termination represented a significant change in NASA's human spaceflight strategy.