NASA names constellation program managers

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Jeffrey Hanley has been appointed manager of NASA's Constellation Program to lead development of the nation's new spacecraft and launch system.

The Constellation project is part of the Vision for Space Exploration that is intended take astronauts to the moon, Mars and beyond. Mark Geyer was appointed as deputy program manager.

The Constellation Program will be based at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Johnson Space Center in Houston. All of NASA's 10 field centers have program roles and responsibilities, including development of launch and transfer vehicles, landers and other systems.

NASA said it expects initial Constellation missions to launch early during the next decade.