Orion and Space Launch System
Human Space Exploration Update (January 1-12, 2018)
Orion Test: NASA drops replica Orion spacecraft to test parachutes NASA demonstrated a simulated Orion capsule could successfully descend to Earth with a parachute failure if necessary. The test was carried out on Friday at the U.S. Army Proving Ground near Yuma, Arizona, following a drop from a U.S. Air Force C-17 flying at 35,000 feet. An on-going series of Orion “drop tests” are to continue into next year. Orion, which can hold up to four astronauts, is designed to start human explorers on future missions of deep space exploration.
EM-1 Crew Logo/Crew Patch: NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew vehicle gets maiden mission patch NASA’s Exploration Mission-1, the first joint test flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule, now has an official logo and patch. Uncrewed, Orion is to journey around the moon and back to Earth for recovery over a three-week flight now targeted for late 2019.
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.