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![Orion spaceship drop test Dec 13, 2011]()
Dec. 13, 2011: An 18,000-pound test version of the Orion space capsule took its eighth and final splash of the year into the Hydro Impact Basin at NASA Langley Research Center. Orion, the next deep space exploration vehicle, will carry astronauts into space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel, and ensure safe re-entry and landing.![Orion in Lunar Orbit]()
NASA's Constellation Program was to include a new spacecraft that would return humans to the moon and serve as the building blocks for trips to Mars and other destinations in our solar system. The Orion spacecraft would be similar in shape to the Apollo spacecraft, but significantly larger. The tried-and-true conical form is the safest and most reliable for re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, especially when returning directly from the moon. This artist's rendering represents a concept of the Orion crew exploration vehicle in lunar orbit.![Orion_spacecraft_assembly]()
The Lockheed Martin Orion team at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, La., inspects the Orion crew module ground test structure prior to shipping. From there, the spacecraft was shipped to Lockheed Martin's Denver facilities for rigorous testing.![Orion_Space_craft_assembly_2]()
The first Orion crew module ground test structure stands ready for inspection after being completed at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.![deep_space_test_flight]()
May 6, 2010: NASA and Lockheed Martin successfully flight tested the Orion spacecraft launch abort system (LAS) for the Pad Abort-1 test.![Spacecraft_Assembly_room]()
The Lockheed Martin Space Operations Simulation Center high bay (or test bay) has a 60 meter range capability for testing full-scale spacecraft approach and departure maneuvers.![Orion Deep Space Asteroid]()
The Orion Deep Space Vehicle concept utilizing two Orion spacecraft can provide the propulsion and life support systems needed to send a crew of three astronauts to an asteroid.![Astro visit Asteroid Orion]()
This artist rendering depicts Lockheed Martin’s 'Plymouth Rock' asteroid mission concept with astronauts and the Orion spacecraft.![Orion_Cut_Away]()
This artist's rendering represents a cut-away concept of the Orion boilerplate crew module test article used in Launch Abort System and landing systems test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.![Orion_Capsule]()
This artist's rendering represents the crew module of the Orion crew exploration vehicle.![Orion_Interior]()
This artist's rendering represents the crew module of the Orion crew exploration vehicle with the outer skin removed revealing the pressure shell and equipment bays.![Launch_on_Ares_Rocket]()
A concept of an abort flight test of the Orion crew exploration vehicle's Launch Abort System at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The ascent abort tests used ascent abort boosters purchased through the U.S. Air Force![Orion_Approaches_Space_Station]()
This artist's rendering represents a concept of the Orion spacecraft approaching the International Space Station in Earth-orbit.![Orion_Approaches_Space_Station_2]()
This artist's rendering represents a concept of the Orion spacecraft approaching the International Space Station in Earth-orbit.![Orion_Docked]()
This artist's rendering represents a concept of the Orion spacecraft docked to the International Space Station in Earth-orbit.![Orion_Docked_to_Lunar_Lander_Craft]()
This artist's rendering represents a concept of the Orion crew exploration vehicle docked to a lunar lander in lunar orbit.![Drifting to Earth]()
Following tests of the Orion crew exploration vehicle's Launch Abort System and landing systems at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the crew module was to float back to Earth under the drogue parachutes that initiate the landing sequence.![Orion_With_Chutes]()
This concept shows the crew module's descent back to Earth under its recovery parachutes using air bags to help soften landings on dry land.![Orion_Craft_Landing]()
The crew module lands on Earth using its recovery parachutes (out of scene). Air bags help soften landings on dry land.Inside the Orion Spacecraft
NASA's Constellation Program included Orion, a spacecraft that would return humans to the moon and prepare for future voyages to Mars. Could it be the next vehicle to hit the moon?
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- Inside the Orion Spacecraft
