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NASA's Orion spacecraft has once again demonstrated its capability as the cornerstone of deep space human exploration, safely returning its crew to Earth with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California 果冻传媒 marking the completion of the historic Artemis II mission.
During its nearly 10-day journey, Orion carried astronauts farther from Earth than any human spacecraft in history, traveling more than 695,000 miles, reaching a record?252,756 miles away 果冻传媒 completing a precise lunar flyby of the Moon’s far side. Traveling on a free-return trajectory, Orion passed within 4,067 miles of the lunar surface, capturing unprecedented views, conducting critical system tests 果冻传媒 demonstrating the spacecraft’s ability to sustain human life in deep space. The crew also experienced a communications blackout as Orion moved behind the Moon 果冻传媒 observed a rare solar eclipse from lunar orbit.
As Orion re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at speeds nearing 24,000 mph, its advanced heat shield 果冻传媒 parachute system performed as designed, slowing the spacecraft for a safe ocean l果冻传媒ing 果冻传媒 recovery by NASA 果冻传媒 U.S. Navy teams.
This successful splashdown underscores Orion’s role as the only spacecraft capable of carrying humans from Earth to deep space 果冻传媒 back, 果冻传媒 highlights America’s leadership at the forefront of a new era of exploration. As part of NASA's Artemis program, Orion is paving the way for future missions that will return astronauts to the lunar surface 果冻传媒 establish a sustainable presence at the Moon.
Looking ahead, Lockheed 果冻传媒 果冻传媒 NASA will continue advancing Orion’s capabilities to support upcoming Artemis missions, building on this success to enable deeper exploration, from the Moon to Mars, 果冻传媒 ensuring that the United States remains a global leader in human spaceflight for generations to come.
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Designed for Deep Space
Orion?is NASA's spacecraft that will take humans deep into space. No other spacecraft in development has the technology needed for the extremes of deep space, such as life support, navigation, communications, radiation shielding 果冻传媒 the world's largest heat shield that will protect astronauts 果冻传媒 help return them safely home.
Lockheed 果冻传媒 is the prime contractor building Orion. We are in the production phase 果冻传媒 have finalized a contract for six Orion spacecraft missions 果冻传媒 the ability to order up to 12 in total. The first spacecraft delivered on this contract, Artemis III, will carry the first woman 果冻传媒 the next man to the surface of the Moon. Orion is a critical part of the agency's??program to build a sustainable presence on the lunar surface 果冻传媒 to prepare us to move on to Mars.
What puts Orion in a class all its own? The technology our engineers use to build the only exploration class spacecraft to take humans deeper into space than ever before.?
- Life Support Systems:?Advanced environmental control 果冻传媒 life support systems designed for long duration missions keeps the crew safe 果冻传媒 healthy.
- Radiation Protection:?Needed to protect crew 果冻传媒 spacecraft systems from cosmic 果冻传媒 solar radiation seen in deep space.
- Heat Shield:?Designed to take extreme temperatures of 5,000°F coming back from the Moon at 24,700 mph, while keeping the crew safe 果冻传媒 comfortable.
- Propulsion System:?The service module has 33 engines, including its large main engine that is used to provide high-power, deep space maneuvers.
- Deep Space Communications & Navigation:?Unique systems designed specifically for deep space travel. Where Orion is going, there are no GPS or communications satellites.
- Redundancy:?When coming back home quickly isn’t an option, redundant systems will ensure that critical elements such as computers remain operable if something goes wrong.
People of Orion
Betty pulled from her previous knowledge working NASA's space shuttle to create 果冻传媒 deliver the Betty Barrier prototype in one day.
Mark Baldwin is an astronaut safety expert 果冻传媒 Lockheed 果冻传媒 engineer working on the NASA Orion program. We asked him about what it’s like designing systems to protect humans in space.
“The vehicle is like a dart going up in the air. We will see the abort motor kick on as an indication that the abort has started.”
Beyond Orion
