Space Zoo Patrol – Lunar Orbiting Platform
By Dr. Jon B. Olansen, Gateway Program Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center
1) What is the name of the technology?
Gateway
2) What does it do?
Gateway is humanity’s first space station in lunar orbit where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for lunar surface missions. It will also serve as a support system for those astronauts on lunar surface missions.
3) How does it work?
Using solar energy, Gateway will fly in an orbit around the Moon. It has docking ports for a variety of spacecraft flying to the Moon, or potentially beyond the Moon to places like Mars.
4) How is it better than the older technology?
Gateway is smaller than the International Space Station, about one fourth the size, meaning that it is cheaper to build and easier to assemble. It uses solar energy which makes it much more fuel efficient.
5) What classes should I take in school to work on this?
Math, physics, and international studies (because Gateway is an international partnership with Canada, various European Countries and Japan).
6) Pictures
Orion approaching Gateway already in orbit around our moon.