PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:
CDN_PATRIOT CDN_PATRIOT:
Can someone tell me why these capsules (which are a step backwards) are beter than shuttles?? Whatever happened to the next generation space shuttles??
-J.
Just a pure guess here but it might have to do with weight constraints at liftoff. Anything travelling between planets will need a shit load more shielding against radiation if it's carrying life than if it's just buzzing around in orbit.
Although I'm no engineer by any stretch so I could be wayyyyyyy off

No, you're quite right. The Earth's magnetic field protects us from the nastiness out there. The tin can would need a good amount of heavy shielding along with multiple hulls to stop micro meteor punctures. Plus fuel for the trip, including landing and re-launching. Not light.
And I was waiting for the next gen shuttle too, till about 5 years ago when they said there will be no next gen. Shame. Most of the Apollo technology has been lost, and they nearly lost the only remaining rocket due to lack of maintenance budget. Now only the Russians and Chinese are capable of low and near Earth orbit. And perhaps only the Chinese and Indians will be capable of Moon landings in the near future.