Boeing Just Presented Its Plan For A Deep Space Gateway

Last year, NASA started collaborating with 6 companies as part of its NextSTEP program. Through this, it is looking to develop deep space vehicles. Now, Boeing just revealed its NASA collaboration creations including the so-called Deep Space Gateway.

Earlier this week, the company released concept images of a deep space habitat. Also, it presented its transport vehicle idea. These should make it possible to send people to Mars. This road would take them from Earth to the Red Planet with a stopping point on the Moon.

The Deep Space Gateway Could Be A Resting Spot On The way To Mars

According to Boeing, its Deep Space Gateway could be sent to the cislunar space. It should be able to dock other space vehicles based on a technology similar to the ISS’s. This habitat could also work as a research lab as it should also be able to host critical studies.

Also, it may house the Deep Space Transportation vehicle. Developed by Boeing as well, this would have a very specific target. It should help send people to Mars. According to the concept images, the Deep Space Gateway should come with living quarters. This will offer spacefarers a place to rest so that they can better endure the long space journeys.

Boeing reported that it will send its habitat in 4 parts. These will be carried with help from the Space Launch System rocket from NASA. The parts could start being sent to their future cislunar orbit as soon as the early 2020s. They may also start being assembled in the same time frame.

According to the presented concept, both the space gateway and the transport vehicle will have the same power source. They could be powered by a solar electric propulsion system. NASA is currently further developing such a technology.

Image Source: Pixabay