Tag: EFT-1
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EFT-1 Orion comes to life via first power up
The Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) Orion has been powered up for the first time ahead of its launch next summer. The test – conducted inside the Operations and Checkout (O&C) building at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – successfully demonstrated the crew module avionics were integrated properly and are in good health. EFT-1 Orion: NASA’s…
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Orion rallying call as EFT-1 closes in on T-12 months
NASA brought out the big guns this week to rally the Orion workforce with an address aimed at highlighting the “huge amount of progress” that has been made on the spacecraft, urging workers to avoid getting “distracted” by budget uncertainties. Orion is moving ever-closer to its first trip into space, with the Exploration Flight Test…
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Orion successfully demonstrates safe landing under two parachutes
NASA’s Orion spacecraft successfully achieved a contingency landing scenario on Wednesday, returning under just two of its three parachutes. The test – conducted at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in the Arizona desert – was the latest in a series of drops ahead of Orion’s return “for real” during the Exploration Flight Test -1…
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EFT-1 Orion team enter final leg of preparations and testing
With the Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) mission now at the T-15 months stage, Orion teams on land and at sea are deep into preparations for the key test of NASA’s next exploration spaceship. Major test milestones include the evaluation of sea recovery assets, Kennedy processing and stacking, parachute testing and heat shield preparations. EFT-1…
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EFT-1: Delta IV-H set for shipping to Florida next March
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy – that is set to launch the Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) Orion into space next year – has passed the 50 percent mark in its fabrication process in Alabama. The vehicle will be shipped to the Florida Space Coast next March, ahead of its September, 2014…
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EFT-1 Orion has its secondary structures installed
The first Orion set to launch into space is now looking more like an actual spaceship, as engineers installed the secondary structures around the capsule. The Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) mission remains on track for launch next summer atop of a Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle. EFT-1 Progress: While Orion’s role with the Space…
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NASA sign up US Navy for opening three Orion splashdowns
An agreement has been signed with the United States Navy to provide splashdown recovery support for NASA’s Orion spacecraft through to the crewed Exploration Mission -2 (EM-2). The support will include Navy boat teams and a Landing Platform-Dock (LPD) ship, with two exercises scheduled ahead of the EFT-1 mission. Orion’s Naval Support: For the 30…
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Safety Panel impressed with challenged Exploration Program
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) have provided a report to NASA administrator Charlie Bolden stating they are impressed with the Agency’s work towards the opening missions for the Orion spacecraft. However, they admitted it is “challenged” by budget constraints. ASAP Meeting: The influential body – probably best known for taking a swipe at the…
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Orion processing heats up ahead of EFT-1 mission
NASA’s first Orion to head into space is continuing to be pieced together, with a major milestone – involving the first flight ready heat shield – now complete. The largest composite heat shield ever built will protect Orion during its high velocity re-entry during Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1), which is just over 18 months…
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SLS and Orion endure rigorous wind tunnel testing
Both the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew capsule have continued their wind tunnel testing this month, with the Block 1 Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLV) – otherwise known as the SLS-1000x – set to facilitate a complete aerodynamic force and moment database delivery by the end of this year. SLS Wind Tunnel…