Orion Archives

Artemis 1 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean following a successful test flight

Seth Kurkowski - Dec. 12th 2022 6:27 am PT @SethKurk

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It’s crazy to think it’s already been 25 days since NASA’s launched its largest and most powerful rocket to the Moon. After a decade of work, everything came together to bring us to this day, with a completed and validated deep space launch system for NASA after a successful Artemis 1 splashdown.

How to watch NASA roll out Artemis 1’s SLS Moon rocket to the launch pad

Arthur Branch - Mar. 15th 2022 1:31 pm PT @ArthurBranch19

Spaceflight NASA SLS Moon Orion

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After years of delays and cost overruns, the much-anticipated Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are set to roll out to Launch Complex 39B on Thursday, March 17 at the Kennedy Space Center.

Update: Stream time changed to 5:45 p.m. EDT (delayed 45 minutes)

Lockheed Martin to construct factory building near Kennedy Space Center

Jared Locke - Oct. 2nd 2021 7:56 pm PT @baserunner0723

Spaceflight NASA Artemis Kennedy Space Center Lockheed Martin Orion

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Lockheed Martin recently opened their STAR Center at the former Astronaut Experience (ATX) attraction location. Now they are moving forward with plans to construct another factory building near their offices and AstroTech.

[Scoop] Artemis 1 CubeSats get second chance at integration thanks to SLS testing delays

Space Explored Staff - Sep. 21st 2021 1:25 pm PT

Spaceflight SLS Artemis I Orion

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SLS is undergoing testing ahead of Orion integration and rollout for the Wet Dress Rehearsal for the Artemis 1 mission. But it’s not only Orion going to the Moon. 13 CubeSats are tagging along, at least now it’s 13…

[UPDATE: More testing and pictures] Orion mass simulator installed atop Artemis I SLS

Jared Locke - Sep. 20th 2021 12:21 pm PT @baserunner0723

Spaceflight NASA Artemis SLS Artemis I Orion

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NASA teams are racing towards the first launch of the SLS rocket at Kennedy Space Center. The final pieces needed for sull stack testing were installed a few days ago, the Orion stage adapter structural test article, and Orion Mass Simulator. The full stack of SLS is expected to roll out to LC-39B for further testing and a Wet Dress Rehearsal.

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New report calls into question 2021 Artemis mission around the Moon

Zac Hall - Aug. 31st 2021 7:17 am PT

Spaceflight NASA Artemis SLS Moon Orion

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NASA is sending astronauts back to the Moon for the first since Apollo 17 in 1972. The new space exploration program is called Artemis, and the first Artemis mission is just months away from happening. A new report though begs the question of when will NASA truly launch Artemis 1?

NASA selects SpaceX to develop human landing system for Artemis moon mission using Starship

Zac Hall - Apr. 16th 2021 10:46 am PT @apollozac

SpaceX NASA Artemis Starship SLS

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NASA is actively working on Artemis, a space exploration program that includes a mission to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon during this decade. Astronauts will travel from Earth in NASA’s Orion spacecraft which will launch on the space agency’s Space Launch System rocket. SLS gives Orion the boost it needs to reach the Moon, but Orion doesn’t touch down on the lunar surface. A third vehicle called a human landing system is needed to transport astronauts to the surface of the Moon. One year ago, NASA selected three potential partners for providing the human landing system for Artemis 3, the first mission in the program that includes walking on the Moon.

Later today, the U.S. space agency will officially announce which partner it will proceed in funding for development. Ace Washington Post space reporter and author Christian Davenport has scooped the 4 p.m. EDT press conference with source selection details. According to Davenport, SpaceX has won the contract with its Starship-based human landing system bid.

NASA prepares for Artemis 1 with SLS booster stacking and Orion capsule preparations [Gallery]

Jared Locke - Jan. 18th 2021 9:54 am PT @baserunner0723

NASA Artemis Kennedy Space Center SLS Orion

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NASA invited media to Kennedy Space Center to witness the progress being made with the stacking of the SLS Solid Rocket Motors and to see the Orion Crew Capsule as it is being prepared to be moved to one of the final processing facilities before being stacked later this year.

What is the Artemis program and how will it take us back to the Moon and beyond?

Seth Kurkowski - Jan. 15th 2021 2:07 pm PT @SethKurk

NASA Artemis SLS Orion Dragon XL

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Signed on the 45th anniversary of the final crewed mission to the Moon, Space Policy Directive 1 directed NASA to begin a mission to send the next man and first woman to the Moon with a pathway to continue onto the crewed exploration of Mars. Since then, the Artemis program has expanded to include already existing programs as well as new commercialized contracts for new services.

Artemis I: NASA opts to “use as is” after an Orion backup Power and Data Unit comms card failed

Zac Hall - Dec. 18th 2020 7:10 am PT @apollozac

NASA Artemis Artemis I Orion

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Earlier this month it was reported that NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the Moon had a dead backup channel on a Power and Data Unit communication card. The Verge shared an internal document that showed multiple approaches to address the failed redundant channel, and the option to fully restore it was estimated to take up to a year. NASA has now issued a decision on how it will move forward with the Orion spacecraft ahead of its first uncrewed mission around the Moon.

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A look at the costly and slow-moving development of the Orion spacecraft

Space Explored Staff - Dec. 16th 2020 10:27 am PT

NASA Artemis Orion

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NASA’s Orion spacecraft has been in the news quite a bit lately because of the essential role it will soon play in sending astronauts to the moon. However, most don’t realize that Orion is 15 years old and has gone through a complex and expensive development, even coming close to being canceled at one point.

Orion spacecraft readiness may come down to the wire for NASA’s Artemis I mission around Moon

Zac Hall - Dec. 2nd 2020 8:00 am PT @apollozac

NASA Artemis SLS Lockheed Martin Orion

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NASA’s upcoming Artemis I mission is a major step toward sending the first woman and next man to the Moon in this decade. The first flight of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft is on track for November 2021, and the uncrewed lunar flyby mission will clear the way for SLS and Orion to carry astronauts.

The Verge was first to report on an unexpected hiccup in Orion’s readiness to fly, however, and the timeline for a fix could come down to the wire for Artemis I.

Orion production accelerates ahead of spacecraft’s first Artemis mission around the Moon

Zac Hall - Nov. 5th 2020 8:40 am PT @apollozac

NASA Artemis Orion

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NASA’s Orion spacecraft will soon complete years of development and be used on the first Artemis mission around the Moon. Orion will lift off with NASA’s Space Launch System rocket as soon as next year for an uncrewed lunar flyby mission that certifies SLS and Orion for future astronaut flights to the lunar surface. The space agency has shared a new close-up video look at the first Orion spacecraft as the production process accelerates in time for NASA’s Artemis I mission set for later next year.

Orion spacecraft departing Plum Brook Station for Kennedy Space Center ahead of Artemis lunar mission

Zac Hall - Mar. 11th 2020 11:15 pm PT @apollozac

Artemis Kennedy Space Center Orion Plum Brook Station

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NASA’s Orion spacecraft will make the journey from Ohio to Florida later this month before ultimately leaving Earth for a test flight around the Moon for the first Artemis mission.

NASA has a media event at Plum Brook Station in Ohio scheduled for this Saturday, March 14, where Orion will be on full display. The viewing event was originally scheduled for Monday, March 9, then rescheduled for the weekend on Wednesday, March 4.

The spacecraft will arrive in Florida by Tuesday, March 24, when NASA will hold a second media event for welcoming the Orion spacecraft to its next testing home.