Orion and Space Launch System

Orion Heat Shield at KSC:  Orion heat shield arrives at Kennedy Space Center The heat shield for the late 2018 test flight of NASA’s Orion crew exploration capsule is now at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center launch site for integration. The upcoming uncrewed test flight, Exploration Mission-1, will send Orion around the moon and back to Earth for a Pacific Ocean recovery. Orion is under development to start U.S. explorers on future deep space missions.  (See also:  Orion heat shield for next space flight arrives at Kennedy and NASA’s Orion Space Capsule on Course for 2018 Trip Around the Moon)

Orion Abort Motor Test:  Aerojet Rocketdyne tests Orion abort system jettison motor  The powerful jettison motor Aerojet is developing for the NASA/Lockheed Martin Orion capsule generated 45,000 pounds of thrust during an Aug. 31 ground test in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Orion is in development to launch astronauts on future missions of deep space exploration. During the launch phase, thespacecraft ascends under an abort motor designed to propel the capsule and its crew away from a launch vehicle emergency. The jettison motor lifts the abort motor and a protective shell from Orion after first stage separation during nominal flight.

SLS Engine Tests:  Educating the SLS engines  Brains for the RS-25s undergoing certification  NASA and its contractors are approaching a critical moment in the qualification of the first stage engines assigned to the Space Launch System exploration rocket. The engines are based on those that launched the spaceshuttle. They are undergoing ground tests at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The ground tests are qualifying an advanced engine controller for the SLS. The first test flight of the SLS, NASA’s Exploration Mission-1, will pair the rocket with an uncrewed Orion capsule. Liftoff is planned for late 2018.

Citizens for Space Exploration – a pro-space, taxpayer, grassroots advocacy group (http://www.bayareahouston.com/content/c_s_e/c_s_e) – has traveled to Washington, D.C. the past 24 years to meet face-to-face with Members/staff of Congress to discuss the value of America’s investment in space exploration. In order to sustain that dialogue on a regular basis, Citizens distributes “Space Exploration Update” to Congressional offices on a weekly basis. The intent is to provide an easy, quick way to stay abreast of key human space exploration program and policy developments.