NASA unveils design for new heavy-lift rocket to Mars

NASA's new heavy-lift rocket, plans for which have just been unveiled, will be several times more powerful than the recently retired space shuttle, capable of launching astronauts to Mars. The head of NASA stated that the new rocket, called the Space Launch System, will be the "cornerstone of our deep-space exploration." The price tag is said to be approximately $35 billion.

The first unmanned test flight, using a smaller, 70-ton version of the new rocket, is scheduled for 2017. The first manned flight is projected to be in 2021. In its first tests, the rocket will use solid rocket-motor technology from the shuttle program. It will then switch to liquid-fueled rockets capable of launching 130 tons, about the same as the Saturn V boosters that carried astronauts to the moon with 7.5 million pounds of thrust. Current rockets can launch about 25 tons. The long-range plan is to evolve the rocket into the most powerful rocket ever built.

NASA's vision is to use a fleet of privately developed rockets, first for servicing the International Space Station and in the long term for exploring the solar system. Private firms will be able to compete for future work with the space agency.

The rocket's main job will be to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a capsule under development to transport astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit, as well as cargo and science experiments.