The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) was NASA's manned spacecraft for the 21st Century, a throwback to the Apollo capsule, a shuttle replacement with an uncertain future. AKA: Crew Exploration Vehicle;Orion. Status: In development 2016. Thrust: 66.60 kN (14,972 lbf). Gross mass: 23,153 kg (51,043 lb). Specific impulse: 361 s.