This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/535827-nasa-astrovan-replacement-moon/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NASA asked for a new bus to drive astronauts to their Moon rocket… but agency might not like the suggestions NASA asked for a new bus to drive astronauts to their moon rocket… but agency might not like the suggestions
(about 7 hours later)
NASA’s attempt to find a replacement for its iconic Astrovan to drive astronauts to a new Moon rocket has opened a Pandora’s box as people began suggesting the most bizarre vehicles, and added Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk to the mix. NASA’s attempt to find a replacement for its iconic Astrovan to drive astronauts to a new moon rocket has opened Pandora’s box, as people began suggesting the most bizarre vehicles, and added Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk to the mix.
Astronaut transfer van, or Astrovan, was used to drive astronauts to and from the launchpad during the Space Shuttle era, while its predecessor delivered astronaut crews of several Apollo missions. The shiny silver Shuttle-era vehicle became so well-liked by the crews that astronauts reportedly objected to it being replaced, and it firmly became part of American space traditions. The astronaut transfer van, or Astrovan, was used to drive astronauts to and from the launchpad during the Space Shuttle era, while its predecessor delivered the astronaut crews of several Apollo missions. The shiny silver Shuttle-era vehicle became so well-liked by the crews that astronauts reportedly objected to it being replaced, and it firmly became part of American space traditions.
However, NASA ultimately found the modified 1983 Airstream Excella motorhome to be too old to be taking part in its new Artemis program, with its ambitious goal of returning humans to the Moon. However, NASA ultimately found the modified 1983 Airstream Excella motorhome to be too old to be taking part in its new Artemis program, which has the ambitious goal of returning humans to the Moon.
The space agency put a word out to “private companies,” asking for suggestions on a worthy replacement for the historic transport. A NASA statement made a point that “the proposals should be unique, embrace new technology, and visually embody Artemis to the public.” The space agency put word out to “private companies,” asking for suggestions of a worthy replacement for the historic transport. A NASA statement made the point that “the proposals should be unique, embrace new technology, and visually embody Artemis to the public.”
However, when news of this reached Twitter, many non-corporate commenters chose to lend a helping hand to NASA, too, with many of the suggestions ending up truly “unique.”However, when news of this reached Twitter, many non-corporate commenters chose to lend a helping hand to NASA, too, with many of the suggestions ending up truly “unique.”
Some insisted that the astronauts should drive something like Eagle 5 Camper Van from “Spaceballs” comedy flick, or Harry’s Dog Van from “Dumb and Dumber,” or even the massive War Rig from the latest “Mad Max” movie. Some insisted that the astronauts should drive something like the Eagle 5 campervan from the 'Spaceballs' comedy flick, or Harry’s dog van from 'Dumb and Dumber', or even the massive War Rig from the latest 'Mad Max' movie.
Several people shared the belief that the Wienermobile, used to advertise meat products from Oscar Mayer, would be just perfect to “visually embody Artemis to the public” – and the company was happy to oblige, tweeting “Hey, @NASA we got you.” Several people shared their belief that the Wienermobile, used to advertise meat products from Oscar Mayer, would be just perfect to “visually embody Artemis to the public” – and the company was happy to oblige, tweeting “Hey, @NASA we got you.”
Others urged NASA to go fully green and put the astronauts in their spacesuits on a multi-seat bicycle or resort to a horse-driven carriage. Others urged NASA to go fully green and put the astronauts in their spacesuits on a multi-seat bicycle or resort to a horse-drawn carriage.
A number of commenters said that NASA, which now relies on Space X to deliver its astronauts to orbit, need not go far and just use Elon Musk’s Teslas. A number of commenters said that NASA, which now relies on Space X to deliver its astronauts to orbit, need not look far and should just use Elon Musk’s Teslas.
One genius suggested that instead of potentially spending millions on developing a new vehicle, the agency could simply settle for a regular bus.  One genius suggested that, instead of potentially spending millions on developing a new vehicle, the agency could simply settle for a regular bus. 
“Expect a protest, though. Seems immensely complex and high risk,” one commenter responded in a stinging reference to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin criticizing Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship, which has won the $2.9 billion NASA contract as part of the Artemis mission.“Expect a protest, though. Seems immensely complex and high risk,” one commenter responded in a stinging reference to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin criticizing Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship, which has won the $2.9 billion NASA contract as part of the Artemis mission.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.RT Team.