As for the name – I always thought “Contingency Project” would be appropriate – just trying to get the crew to and from LEO alive with contingency plans for rocket failures will be a giant leap for NASAkind.

How about “GATOS” – Get Astronauts To Orbit Safely …

Or “CARAIFOUND” – China and Russia are in front of us now dear.

Or NCNFNPIAGNC … no cargo, no food, no pets … I ain’t got no cigarettes …otherwise known as KOTR, king of the rocket road.

Lembeck is tap dancing around the real reason for adopting the “CEV” nomenclature, which is that “vehicle” implies something that may not have wings — a capsule. If he wanted keep his labeling unbiased, why not simply refer to the new spacecraft porkject, excuse me, project, as the NMS — the New or Next Manned Spacecraft?

“CEV” does have the advantage of being vague about where the exploration will go, unlike “Orbital Space Plane,” which obviously meant Earth orbit. “CEV” is misleading in that most CEV missions will be up and down from the space station. No big exploration there.