Every month, we are closer to sending humans on deep space missions.
To enable these missions and keep astronauts safe, NASA is developing the Orion crew capsule. When it takes flight in 2018 atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, it will travel deeper into space than any human-rated spacecraft has ever gone. It will return to Earth after traveling tens of thousands of miles beyond the moon.
Let’s check out some highlights of the Orion vehicle from June:
–The portion of Orion that will power, cool and propel the vehicle is called the service module. Last month, the critical design review was conducted by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), the provider of the service module. After the examination of the module by technical experts, the service module can move forward to meet its April 2017 delivery to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
–A supplier of both Orion and SLS was recognized with a Space Flight Awareness Supplier Award – Metalex Manufacturing in Ohio. The company precision machines parts for the pressure vessel of Orion as well as the SLS rocket boosters and RS-25 engine.
–In Alabama last month, suppliers KT Engineering and SEA Wire & Cable were thanked by program managers. KT Engineering designed the assembly fixture for Orion in addition to handling adapters and the launch abort system support pallets. SEA Wire & Cable supports both the Orion crew vehicle and SLS rocket.
–The Orbital Maneuvering System engine that will be used on Orion’s service module is in the process of being qualified. The engine was previously used on the space shuttle. It is undergoing vibration testing to make sure it can withstand the loads during launch on the SLS rocket.
With progress being made around the country and world toward Orion’s flight in 2018, NASA continues to place importance on international collaborations that will enable human deep space exploration.
Learn more about the Orion spacecraft at NASA.gov.