Misplaced Pages

Orion

Photo of Orion taken during the flight of Artemis I
Manufacturer	CM: Lockheed Martin ESM: Airbus Defence and Space
Operator	NASA
Applications	Crewed exploration beyond LEO
Project cost	US$21.5 billion ($26.3 billion inflation adjusted to 2022)
Specifications
Spacecraft type	Crewed
Launch mass	CM: 22,900 lb (10,400 kg) ESM: 34,085 lb (15,461 kg) Combined mass: 58,467 lb (26,520 kg) Total with LAS: 73,735 lb (33,446 kg)
Dry mass	CM: 20,500 lb (9,300 kg) landing weight ESM: 13,635 lb (6,185 kg)
Payload capacity	220 lb (100 kg) return payload
Crew capacity	4
Volume	Pressurized: 690.6 cu ft (20 m) Habitable: 316 cu ft (9 m)
Power	Solar
Regime	Lunar Transfer Orbit, lunar orbit
Design life	21.1 days
Dimensions
Length	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Diameter	16 feet 6 inches (5.03 m)
Production
Status	In service
On order	6–12 (+3 ordered before 2019)
Built	4
Launched	2
Maiden launch	December 5, 2014 (EFT-1)
Related spacecraft
Derived from	Crew Exploration Vehicle ATV

Orion (Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle or Orion MPCV) is a partially reusable crewed spacecraft used in NASA's Artemis program. The spacecraft consists of a Crew Module (CM) space capsule designed by Lockheed Martin that is paired with a European Service Module (ESM) manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space. Capable of supporting a crew of four beyond low Earth orbit, Orion can last up to 21 days undocked and up to six months docked. It is equipped with solar panels, an automated docking system, and glass cockpit interfaces. Orion is intended to be launched atop a Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with a tower launch escape system.

Orion was conceived in the early 2000s by Lockheed Martin as a proposal for the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) to be used in NASA's Constellation program and was selected by NASA in 2006. Following the cancellation of the Constellation program in 2010, Orion was extensively redesigned for use in NASA's Journey to Mars initiative; later named Moon to Mars. The SLS became Orion's primary launch vehicle, and the service module was replaced with a design based on the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle. A development version of Orion's crew module was launched in 2014 during Exploration Flight Test-1, while at least four test articles were produced. Orion was primarily designed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Littleton, Colorado, with former Space Shuttle engineer Julie Kramer White at NASA as Orion's chief engineer.

As of 2022, three flight-worthy Orion spacecraft were under construction, with one completed and an additional one ordered, for use in NASA's Artemis program.

The first completed unit, CM-002, was launched on November 16, 2022, on Artemis I.

Description

Orion uses the same basic configuration as the Apollo command and service module (CSM) that first took astronauts to the Moon, but with an increased diameter, updated thermal protection system, and other more modern technologies. It is designed to support long-duration deep space missions with up to 21 days of active crew time plus 6 months' quiescent spacecraft life. During the quiescent period, crew life support would be provided by another module, such as the proposed Lunar Gateway. The spacecraft's life support, propulsion, thermal protection, and avionics systems can be upgraded as new technologies become available.

At launch, the Orion spacecraft includes both crew and service modules, a spacecraft adapter and an emergency launch abort system. The Orion's crew module is larger than Apollo's and can support more crew members for short or long-duration missions. The European service module propels and powers the spacecraft as well as storing oxygen and water for astronauts. Orion relies on solar energy rather than fuel cells, which allows for longer missions.

Crew module (CM)

The Orion crew module (CM) is a reusable transportation capsule that provides a habitat for the crew, provides storage for consumables and research instruments, and contains the docking port for crew transfers. The crew module is the only part of the spacecraft that returns to Earth after each mission and is a 57.5° frustum shape with a blunt spherical aft end, 5.02 meters (16 ft 6 in) in diameter and 3.3 meters (10 ft 10 in) in length, with a mass of about 8.5 metric tons (19,000 lb). It was manufactured by the Lockheed Martin Corporation at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. It has 50% more volume than the Apollo capsule and will carry four astronauts. After extensive study, NASA selected the Avcoat ablator system to provide heat protection encountered during reentry for the Orion crew module. Avcoat, which is composed of silica fibers with a resin in a honeycomb made of fiberglass and phenolic resin, was formerly used on the Apollo missions and on the Space Shuttle orbiter for early flights.

The CM uses Glass cockpit digital control systems derived from those of the Boeing 787. It incorporates an "autodock" feature, like those of Progress, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, and Dragon 2, with provision for the flight crew to take over in an emergency. It has waste-management facilities, with a miniature camping-style toilet and the unisex "relief tube" used on the Space Shuttle. It has a nitrogen/oxygen (N
₂/O
₂) mixed atmosphere at either sea level (101.3 kPa or 14.69 psi) or reduced (55.2 to 70.3 kPa or 8.01 to 10.20 psi) pressure.

The CM is built of aluminium-lithium alloy. The reusable recovery parachutes are based on the parachutes used on both the Apollo spacecraft and the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters, and constructed of Nomex cloth. Water landing is the exclusive means of recovery for the Orion CM.

To allow Orion to mate with other vehicles, it will be equipped with the NASA Docking System. The spacecraft employs a Launch Abort System (LAS) along with a "Boost Protective Cover" (made of fiberglass), to protect the Orion CM from aerodynamic and impact stresses during the first 2+1⁄2 minutes of ascent. Orion is designed to be 10 times safer during ascent and reentry than the Space Shuttle. The CM is designed to be refurbished and reused. In addition, all of Orion's component parts have been designed to be as modular as possible, so that between the craft's first test flight in 2014 and its projected Mars voyage in the 2030s, the spacecraft can be upgraded as new technologies become available.

As of 2019, the Spacecraft Atmospheric Monitor is planned to be used in the Orion CM.

European Service Module (ESM)

In May 2011, the ESA director general announced a possible collaboration with NASA to work on a successor to the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). On June 21, 2012, Airbus Defence and Space announced that they had been awarded two separate studies, each worth €6.5 million, to evaluate the possibilities of using technology and experience gained from ATV and Columbus related work for future missions. The first looked into the possible construction of a service module which would be used in tandem with the Orion CM. The second examined the possible production of a versatile multi purpose orbital vehicle.

On November 21, 2012, the ESA decided to develop an ATV-derived service module for Orion. The service module is being manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen, Germany. NASA announced on January 16, 2013, that the ESA service module will first fly on Artemis I, the debut launch of the Space Launch System.

Testing of the European service module began in February 2016, at the Space Power Facility.

On February 16, 2017, a €200 million contract was signed between Airbus and the European Space Agency for the production of a second European service module for use on the first crewed Orion flight, Artemis II.

On October 26, 2018, the first unit for Artemis I was assembled in full at Airbus Defence and Space's factory in Bremen, Germany.

Launch Abort System (LAS)

In the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during ascent, the Launch Abort System (LAS) will separate the crew module from the launch vehicle using three solid rocket motors: an abort motor (AM), an attitude control motor (ACM), and a jettison motor (JM). The AM provides the thrust needed to accelerate the capsule, while the ACM is used to point the AM and the jettison motor separates the LAS from the crew capsule. On July 10, 2007, Orbital Sciences, the prime contractor for the LAS, awarded Alliant Techsystems (ATK) a $62.5 million sub-contract to "design, develop, produce, test and deliver the launch abort motor," which uses a "reverse flow" design. On July 9, 2008, NASA announced that ATK had completed construction of a vertical test stand at a facility in Promontory, Utah to test launch abort motors for the Orion spacecraft. Another long-time space motor contractor, Aerojet, was awarded the jettison motor design and development contract for the LAS. As of September 2008, Aerojet has, along with team members Orbital Sciences, Lockheed Martin and NASA, successfully demonstrated two full-scale test firings of the jettison motor. This motor is used on every flight, as it separates the LAS from the vehicle after both a successful launch and a launch abort.

Spacecraft properties and performance

With the announcement in 2019 of the intent to procure a Human Landing System for Artemis missions, NASA provided Orion mass and propulsion capability values. After separation from the SLS upper stage, the Orion is expected to have a mass of 26,375 kg (58,147 lb) and be capable of performing maneuvers requiring up to 1,050 m/s (3,445 ft/s) of delta-v.

History

The Orion MPCV was announced by NASA on May 24, 2011. Its design is based on the Crew Exploration Vehicle from the canceled Constellation program, which had been a 2006 NASA contract award to Lockheed Martin. The command module is being built by Lockheed Martin at the Michoud Assembly Facility, while the Orion service module is being built by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen with funding from the European Space Agency. The CM's first uncrewed test flight (EFT-1) was launched without the EUS atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket on December 5, 2014, and lasted 4 hours and 24 minutes before landing at its target in the Pacific Ocean.

On November 30, 2020, it was reported that NASA and Lockheed Martin had found a failure with a component in one of the Orion spacecraft's power data units but NASA later clarified that it did not expect the issue to affect the Artemis I launch date.

Funding history and planning

For fiscal years 2006 through 2023, the Orion program had expended funding totaling $22.9 billion in nominal dollars. This is equivalent to $29.4 billion in 2024 dollars using the NASA New Start Inflation Indices.

In 2024, the US Congress approved "up to" $1.339 billion for the NASA Orion spacecraft.

Excluded from the prior Orion costs are:

1. Most costs "for production, operations, or sustainment of additional crew capsules, despite plans to use and possibly enhance this capsule after 2021"; production and operations contracts were awarded going into fiscal year 2020
2. Costs of the first service module and spare parts, which are provided by ESA for the test flight of Orion (about US$1 billion)
3. Costs to assemble, integrate, prepare and launch the Orion and its launcher, funded separately in the NASA Ground Operations Project, currently about $600 million per year
4. Costs of the launcher, the SLS, for the Orion spacecraft

For 2021 to 2025, NASA estimates yearly budgets for Orion from $1.4 to $1.1 billion. In late 2015, the Orion program was assessed at a 70% confidence level for its first crewed flight by 2023, but in January 2024 NASA announced plans for a first crewed flight of Orion no earlier than September 2025.

There are no NASA estimates for the Orion program recurring yearly costs once operational, for a certain flight rate per year, or for the resulting average costs per flight. However, a production and operations contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in 2019 indicated NASA will pay the prime contractor $900 million for the first three Orion capsules and $633 million for the following three. In 2016, the NASA manager of exploration systems development said that Orion, SLS, and supporting ground systems should cost "US$2 billion or less" annually. NASA will not provide the cost per flight of Orion and SLS, with associate administrator William H. Gerstenmaier stating "costs must be derived from the data and are not directly available. This was done by design to lower NASA's expenditures" in 2017.

Ground test articles, mockups, and boilerplates

• Space Vehicle Mockup Facility (SVMF) in Johnson Space Center, includes a full-scale Orion capsule mock-up for astronaut training.
• MLAS An Orion boilerplate was used in the MLAS test launch.
• Ares-I-X The Orion Mass Simulator was used on the Ares I-X flight test.
• Pad Abort 1 An Orion boilerplate was used for the Pad Abort 1 flight test, the LAS was fully functional, the boilerplate was recovered.
• Ascent Abort-2 An Orion boilerplate was used for the Ascent Abort 2 flight test, the LAS was fully functional, the boilerplate was discarded.
• The Boilerplate Test Article (BTA) underwent splashdown testing at the Langley Research Center. This same test article has been modified to support Orion Recovery Testing in stationary and underway recovery tests. The BTA contains over 150 sensors to gather data on its test drops. Testing of the 18,000-pound (8,200 kg) mockup ran from July 2011 to January 6, 2012.
• The Ground Test Article (GTA) stack, located at Lockheed Martin in Denver, Colorado, was undergoing vibration testing. It is made up of the Orion Ground Test Vehicle (GTV) combined with its Launch Abort System (LAS). Further testing will see the addition of service module simulator panels and Thermal Protection System (TPS) to the GTA stack.
• The Drop Test Article (DTA), also known as the Drop Test Vehicle (DTV) underwent test drops at the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona from an altitude of 25,000 feet (7,600 m). Testing began in 2007. Drogue chutes deploy around 20,000 and 15,000 feet (6,100 and 4,600 m). Testing of the staged parachutes includes the partial opening and complete failure of one of the three main parachutes. With only two chutes deployed, the DTA lands at 33 feet per second (10 m/s), the maximum touchdown speed for Orion's design. The drop test program had several failures in 2007, 2008, and 2010, resulting in a new DTV being constructed. The landing parachute set is known as the Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS). With all parachutes functional, a landing speed of 17 mph (27 km/h) was achieved. A third test vehicle, the PCDTV3, was successfully tested in a drop on April 17, 2012.

Variants

Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)

The idea for a Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) was announced on January 14, 2004, as part of the Vision for Space Exploration after the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. The CEV effectively replaced the conceptual Orbital Space Plane (OSP), a proposed replacement for the Space Shuttle. A design competition was held, and the winner was the proposal from a consortium led by Lockheed Martin. It was later named "Orion" after the stellar constellation and mythical hunter of the same name, and became part of the Constellation program under NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe.

Constellation proposed using the Orion CEV in both crew and cargo variants to support the International Space Station and as a crew vehicle for a return to the Moon. The crew/command module was originally intended to land on solid ground on the US west coast using airbags but later changed to ocean splashdown, while a service module was included for life support and propulsion. With a diameter of 5 meters (16 ft 5 in) as opposed to 3.9 meters (12 ft 10 in), the Orion CEV would have provided 2.5 times greater volume than the Apollo CM. The service module was originally planned to use liquid methane (LCH₄) as its fuel, but switched to hypergolic propellants due to the infancy of oxygen/methane-powered rocket technologies and the goal of launching the Orion CEV by 2012.

The Orion CEV was to be launched on the Ares I rocket to low Earth orbit, where it would rendezvous with the Altair lunar lander launched on a heavy-lift Ares V launch vehicle for lunar missions.

Environmental testing

NASA performed environmental testing of Orion from 2007 to 2011 at the Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio. The Center's Space Power Facility is the world's largest thermal vacuum chamber.

Launch Abort System (LAS) testing

ATK Aerospace successfully completed the first Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) test on November 20, 2008. The LAS motor could provide 500,000 lbf (2,200 kN) of thrust in case an emergency situation should arise on the launch pad or during the first 300,000 feet (91 km) of the rocket's climb to orbit.

On March 2, 2009, a full size, full weight command module mockup (pathfinder) began its journey from the Langley Research Center to White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico for at-gantry launch vehicle assembly training and for LES testing. On May 10, 2010, NASA successfully executed the LES PAD-Abort-1 test at White Sands, launching a boilerplate (mock-up) Orion capsule to an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet (1,800 m). The test used three solid-fuel rocket motors – the main thrust motor, an attitude control motor and the jettison motor.

Splashdown recovery testing

In 2009, during the Constellation phase of the program, the Post-landing Orion Recovery Test (PORT) was designed to determine and evaluate methods of crew rescue and what kind of motions the astronaut crew could expect after landing, including conditions outside the capsule for the recovery team. The evaluation process supported NASA's design of landing recovery operations including equipment, ship and crew needs.

The PORT Test used a full-scale boilerplate (mock-up) of NASA's Orion crew module and was tested in water under simulated and real weather conditions. Tests began March 23, 2009, with a Navy-built, 18,000-pound (8,200 kg) boilerplate in a test pool. Full sea testing ran April 6–30, 2009, at various locations off the coast of NASA's Kennedy Space Center with media coverage.

Cancellation of Constellation program

On May 7, 2009, the Obama administration enlisted the Augustine Commission to perform a full independent review of the ongoing NASA space exploration program. The commission found the then-current Constellation Program to be woefully under-budgeted with significant cost overruns, behind schedule by four years or more in several essential components, and unlikely to be capable of meeting any of its scheduled goals. As a consequence, the commission recommended a significant re-allocation of goals and resources. As one of the many outcomes based on these recommendations, on October 11, 2010, the Constellation program was canceled, ending development of the Altair, Ares I, and Ares V. The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle survived the cancellation and was transferred to be launched on the Space Launch System.

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)

The Orion development program was restructured from three different versions of the Orion capsule, each for a different task, to the development of the MPCV as a single version capable of performing multiple tasks. On December 5, 2014, a developmental Orion spacecraft was successfully launched into space and retrieved at sea after splashdown on the Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1).

Orion splashdown recovery testing

Before EFT-1 in December 2014, several preparatory vehicle recovery tests were performed, which continued the "crawl, walk, run" approach established by PORT. The "crawl" phase was performed August 12–16, 2013, with the Stationary Recovery Test (SRT). The SRT demonstrated the recovery hardware and techniques that were to be employed for the recovery of the Orion CM in the protected waters of Naval Station Norfolk using the LPD-17 type USS Arlington as the recovery ship.

The "walk" and "run" phases were performed with the Underway Recovery Test (URT). Also using an LPD 17 class ship, the URT was performed in more realistic sea conditions off the coast of California in early 2014 to prepare the US Navy / NASA team for recovering the Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) Orion CM. The URT tests completed the pre-launch test phase of the Orion recovery system.

Orion Lite

History

Orion Lite is an unofficial name used in the media for a lightweight crew capsule proposed by Bigelow Aerospace in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. It was to be based on the Orion spacecraft that Lockheed Martin was developing for NASA. It was never developed. It was to be a lighter, less capable and a less expensive version of the full Orion.

Orion Lite was intended to provide a stripped-down version of the Orion that would be available for missions to the International Space Station earlier than the more capable Orion, which is designed for longer duration missions to the Moon and Mars.

Bigelow had begun working with Lockheed Martin in 2004. A few years later Bigelow signed a million-dollar contract to develop "an Orion mockup, an Orion Lite", in 2009.

The proposed collaboration between Bigelow and Lockheed Martin on the Orion Lite spacecraft has ended. Bigelow began work with Boeing on a similar capsule, the CST-100, which has no Orion heritage, and was one of the two systems selected under NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program to transport crew to the ISS.

Design

Orion Lite's primary mission would be to transport crew to the International Space Station (ISS), or to private space stations such as the planned B330 from Bigelow Aerospace. While Orion Lite would have the same exterior dimensions as the Orion, there would be no need for the deep space infrastructure present in the Orion configuration. As such, the Orion Lite would have been able to support larger crews of around 7 people as the result of greater habitable interior volume and the reduced weight of equipment needed to support an exclusively low-Earth-orbit configuration.

Recovery

In order to reduce the weight of Orion Lite, the more durable heat shield of the Orion would be replaced with a lighter weight heat shield designed to support the lower temperatures of Earth atmospheric re-entry from low Earth orbit. Additionally, the current proposal calls for a mid-air retrieval, wherein another aircraft captures the descending Orion Lite module. To date, such a retrieval method has not been employed for crewed spacecraft, although it has been used with satellites.

Flights

List of flights

Orion development test flights

Mission	Patch	Launch (UTC)	Launch site	Launch vehicle	Outcome	Duration	Summary
MLAS		8 July 2009, 10:26	Wallops	MLAS	Success	57s	Test flight of the Max Launch Abort System (MLAS)
Ares I-X		28 October 2009, 15:30	Kennedy, LC-39B	Ares I-X	Success	~6m	Test flight of the Ares rocket
Pad Abort 1		6 May 2010, 13:03	White Sands, LC-32E	Orion LAS	Success	1m 35s	Flight test of the Orion Launch Abort System (LAS)
Exploration Flight Test-1		5 December 2014, 12:05	Cape Canaveral, SLC-37	Delta IV Heavy	Success	4h 24m	Orbital flight test of Orion's heat shield, parachutes, jettisoning components, and on-board computers. Orion was recovered by USS Anchorage and brought to San Diego, California, for its return to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Ascent Abort-2		2 July 2019, 11:00	Cape Canaveral, SLC-46	Orion Abort Test Booster	Success	3m 13s	Test of the Launch Abort System (LAS) of NASA's Orion spacecraft
Artemis I		16 November 2022, 06:47:44	Kennedy, LC-39B	SLS Block 1	Success	25d 10h 55m 50s	Uncrewed lunar orbit and return

Upcoming missions

The first crewed flight, Artemis II, will be a lunar flyby. Flights are expected to achieve a yearly cadence from Artemis IV onward in 2028.

Proposed

A proposal curated by William H. Gerstenmaier before his 10 July 2019 reassignment suggests four launches of the crewed Orion spacecraft and logistical modules aboard the SLS Block 1B to the Gateway. The crewed Artemis 4 through 7 would launch yearly, testing in situ resource utilization and nuclear power on the lunar surface with a partially reusable lander. Artemis 7 would deliver a crew of four astronauts to a surface lunar outpost known as the Lunar Surface Asset. The Lunar Surface Asset would be launched by an undetermined launcher and would be used for extended crewed lunar surface missions. Another repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope is also possible.

Potential Mars missions

The Orion capsule is designed to support future missions to send astronauts to Mars, probably to take place in the 2030s. Since the Orion capsule provides only about 2.25 m (79 cu ft) of living space per crew member, the use of an additional Deep Space Habitat (DSH) module featuring propulsion will be needed for long-duration missions. The complete spacecraft stack is known as the Deep Space Transport. The habitat module will provide additional space and supplies, as well as facilitate spacecraft maintenance, mission communications, exercise, training, and personal recreation. Some concepts for DSH modules would provide approximately 70.0 m (2,472 cu ft) of living space per crew member, though the DSH module is in its early conceptual stage. DSH sizes and configurations may vary slightly, depending on crew and mission needs. The mission may launch in the mid-2030s or late-2030s.

Canceled

Asteroid Redirect Mission

The Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), also known as the Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization (ARU) mission and the Asteroid Initiative, was a space mission proposed by NASA in 2013. The Asteroid Retrieval Robotic Mission (ARRM) spacecraft would rendezvous with a large near-Earth asteroid and use robotic arms with anchoring grippers to retrieve a 4-meter boulder from the asteroid. A secondary objective was to develop the required technology to bring a small near-Earth asteroid into lunar orbit – "the asteroid was a bonus." There, it could be analyzed by the crew of the Orion EM-5 or EM-6 ARCM mission in 2026.

List of vehicles

Image		Serial & Name	Status	Flights	Time in flight	Notes	Cat.
Retired
		Unknown	Retired	1	57s	Boilerplate used in the July 2009 test launch of the Max Launch Abort System; did not have a service module.
		Unknown	Retired	1	2m, 15s	Boilerplate used in Pad Abort-1; did not have a service module.
		001	Retired	1	4h, 24m, 46s	Vehicle used in Exploration Flight Test-1. First Orion to fly in space; did not have a service module. Orion 001 is currently on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Expended
		CM/LAS	Expended	1	~6m	Boilerplate used in Ares I-X launch; did not have a service module.
		Unknown	Expended	1	3m, 13s	Boilerplate used in Ascent Abort-2; did not have a service module. Intentionally destroyed during the flight.
Active
		GTA	Active	0	None	Ground Test Article, used in ground tests of the Orion crew module design with mock service modules.
		STA	Active	0	None	Structural Test Article, used in structural testing of the complete Orion spacecraft design.
		002	Active	1	25 days, 10 hours and 52 minutes	Vehicle used in Artemis I. First to be fully completed (EFT-1 Orion did not have SM, see above), and go to the Moon. Is now used for ground testing for future Artemis missions.
Under construction
		003 To be named	Under construction	0	None	Vehicle to be used in Artemis II. First Orion planned to carry crew.
		004 To be named	Under construction	0	None	Vehicle to be used in Artemis III, first human landing mission on the Moon since 1972. Pressure vessel completed at Michoud in August 2021.
		005 To be named	Under construction	0	None	Vehicle to be used in Artemis IV. Pressure vessel shipped to Kennedy Space Center in March 2023.
		006 To be named	Under construction	0	None	Vehicle to be used in Artemis V. Ordered under the Orion Production and Operations Contract.

See also

• List of crewed spacecraft
• NASA Authorization Act of 2010 – U.S. law
• Space policy of the Barack Obama administration – US federal plans for NASA post-2010

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

1. NASA has ordered two additional CMs from Lockheed Martin, though as of the 2019 ESA Ministerial Council, only one additional ESM has been ordered by ESA from Airbus Defence and Space.

1. ^ "Orion Reference Guide" (PDF). NASA Johnson Space Center. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
2. "NASA Authorization Act of 2010". Thomas.loc.gov. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
3. Bergin, Chris (July 10, 2012). "NASA ESD set key Orion requirement based on Lunar missions". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
4. ^ "Orion Quick facts" (PDF). NASA. August 4, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
5. "NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production Contract". NASA. September 23, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
6. Cesar, Alan (December 15, 2023). "An Aerospace Titan Rooted in the Midwest". Aerogram. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
7. Foust, Jeff (September 24, 2019). "NASA awards long-term Orion production contract to Lockheed Martin". SpaceNews. Retrieved December 10, 2019. The Orion Production and Operations Contract includes an initial order of three Orion spacecraft, for missions Artemis 3, 4 and 5, for $2.7 billion.
8. Clark, Stephen (November 29, 2019). "Earth observation, deep space exploration big winners in new ESA budget". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019. ESA member states put up money for two Orion service modules at this week's summit in Seville. The power and propulsion modules will fly with NASA's Orion spacecraft carrying astronauts to the moon on the Artemis 3 and Artemis 4 missions...
9. Kraft, Rachel (May 16, 2022). "Artemis I Mission Availability". NASA. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
10. Wattles, Jackie (November 8, 2022). "NASA's Artemis I mission delayed again as storm barrels toward launch site". CNN. Warner Bros Discovery. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
11. "NASA Prepares Rocket, Spacecraft Ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole, Re-targets Launch". NASA. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
12. Peterson, L. (2009). "Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)" (PDF). NTRS.nasa.gov. Ames Research Center: NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
13. ^ "NASA Goes 'Green': Next Spacecraft to be Reusable – Orion Capsule". Space.com. June 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
14. "NASA – A 21st Century-Style Return to the Moon". nasa.gov. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
15. Bergin, Chris (October 30, 2014). "EFT-1 Orion completes assembly and conducts FRR". NASASpaceflight.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
16. "NASA – Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle" (PDF) (Press release). NASA. February 7, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
17. "Lockheed to build Nasa 'Moonship'". BBC News. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2007.
18. ^ LaNasa, Shannon (2021). "Michoud Tenants: Lockheed Martin". Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
19. ^ Cristina, Victoria (April 26, 2021). "Behind the scenes at NASA Michoud: Assembly of the Orion Crew Modules". WGNO. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
20. NASA Orion public relations (September 10, 2021). "Technicians at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility completed the welding on Orion's pressure vessel which will carry @NASA_Astronauts to the Moon on #Artemis III" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
21. "NASA Selects Material for Orion Spacecraft Heat Shield" (Press release). NASA Ames Research Center. April 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2009.
22. Coppinger, Rob (October 6, 2006). "NASA Orion crew vehicle will use voice controls in Boeing 787-style Honeywell smart cockpit". Flight International. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2006.
23. ^ "Orion landings to be splashdowns – KSC buildings to be demolished". NASA SpaceFlight.com. August 5, 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
24. "NASA Denies Making Orion Water Landing Decision – and Deleting Touchdowns on Land". NASA Watch. August 6, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
25. "NASA Announces Key Decision For Next Deep Space Transportation System". NASA. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
26. Hill, Denise (July 23, 2019). "S.A.M. Goes to Work Aboard ISS". NASA. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
27. "US and Europe plan new spaceship". BBC News. May 5, 2011. Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
28. "ATV evolution studies look at exploration, debris removal". Spaceflight Now. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
29. "Airbus Defence and Space awarded two ATV evolution studies from ESA". Astrium. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
30. Bergin, Chris (November 21, 2012). "UK steps up, as ESA commit to ATV Service Module on NASA's Orion". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
31. ^ "Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle – European Service Module for NASA's Orion programme". Airbus Defence and Space. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
32. ^ "NASA Signs Agreement for a European-Provided Orion Service Module". nasa.gov. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
33. Zoller, Cody (December 1, 2015). "NASA to begin testing Orion's European Service Module". NASA SpaceFlight. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
34. Airbus Defence and Space wins 200 million euros ESA contract for second service module for NASA's Orion crewed space capsule Archived April 19, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Airbus Defense and Space press release. February 16, 2017.
35. ^ "Call for media: The European Service module meets Orion". European Space Agency. October 26, 2018. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
36. "Mission to the Moon: How We'll Go Back – and Stay This Time". popularmechanics.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
37. Mika McKinnon (December 4, 2014). "Meet Orion, NASA's New Deep Space Explorer". Space.io9.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
38. "Launch Abort System Jettison Motor | Aerojet Rocketdyne". Rocket.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
39. "ATK Awarded Contract for Orion Launch Abort Motors" (Press release). PRNewswire. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
40. "Orion's New Launch Abort Motor Test Stand Ready for Action". NASA. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
41. Rhian, Jason (July 17, 2018). "Jettison Motor Readied For Integration Into Orion's LAS". spaceflightinsider.com. Spaceflight Insider. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019. The jettison motor separates the LAS from the Orion capsule on its way to orbit.
42. "NextSTEP-2 Appendix H, Attachment F: Human Landing System to Orion Interface Requirements Document (HLS-IRD-005)". NASA. September 30, 2019.
43. Wall, Mike (May 24, 2011). "NASA Unveils New Spaceship for Deep Space Exploration". Space.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
44. Moen, Marina M. (August 8, 2011). Feasibility of Orion Crew Module Entry on Half of Available Propellant Due to Tank Isolation Fault. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. hdl:2060/20110014641 – via NASA Technical Reports Server.
45. "NASA Selects Lockheed Martin To Be Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Prime Contractor" (Press release). NASA. August 31, 2006. Retrieved August 31, 2006.
46. "ESA workhorse to power NASA's Orion spacecraft / Research / Human Spaceflight / Our Activities / ESA". Esa.int. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
47. Bergin, Chris (March 15, 2014). "EFT-1 Orion slips to December – Allows military satellite to launch first". nasaspaceflight.com. NASAspaceflight.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
48. Clark, Stephen (March 15, 2014). "Launch schedule shakeup delays Orion to December". spaceflightnow.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
49. "Orion Exploration Flight Test-1". aerospaceguide.net. January 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
50. Fountain, Henry (December 5, 2014). "NASA's Orion Spacecraft Splashes Down in Pacific After Test Flight". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
51. Grush, Loren (November 30, 2020). "Component failure in NASA's deep-space crew capsule could take months to fix". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
52. Klotz, Irene (December 7, 2020). "Issue with Orion power distribution unit "We really don't think it's going to be a big impact on the final schedule for the Artemis I flight," @NASA's Ken Bowersox tells reporters". Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
53. ^ "NASA FY22 Inflation Tables - to be utilized in FY23" (Excel). NASA. Retrieved 31 October 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
54. "FY 2008 Budget Estimates" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. ESMD-25. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
55. "Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Estimates" (PDF). National Aeronautics and space Administration. p. iv. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
56. ^ "Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Estimates" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. v. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
57. "FY 2013 President's Budget Request Summary" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. BUD-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
58. "FY 2014 President's Budget Request Summary" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. BUD-8. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
59. "FY 2015 President's Budget Request Summary" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. BUD-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
60. "FY 2016 President's Budget Request Summary" (PDF). National Aeronautics and space Administration. p. BUD-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
61. "FY 2017 Budget Estimates" (PDF). nasa.gov. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. BUD-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
62. "FY 2018 Budget Estimates" (PDF). nasa.gov. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. BUD-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 5, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
63. "Public Law 115-31, 115th Congress" (PDF). congress.gov. p. 213. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 22, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
64. "2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act" (PDF). congress.gov. p. 82. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
65. "FY 2021 President's Budget Request Summary" (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p. DEXP-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
66. "H.R.1158 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020". www.congress.gov. December 20, 2019. p. 250. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
67. "National Aeronautics and Space Administration FY 2021 Spending Plan" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
68. "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 31 October 2022. p.212. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
69. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
70. "NASA's FY 2024 Budget". The Planetary Society. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
71. "NASA Actions Needed to Improve Transparency and Assess Long Term Affordability of Human Exploration Programs" (PDF). General Accounting Office. May 2014. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
72. "NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production Contract". NASA.gov. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
73. Smith, Marcia (January 17, 2013). "NASA-ESA Agreement on Orion Service Module is For Only One Unit Plus Spares". spacepolicyonline.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
74. Clark, Stephen (December 3, 2014). "ESA member states commit funding for Orion service module". spaceflightnow.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
75. "NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program Completes Preliminary Design Review". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. March 27, 2014. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
76. "National Aeronautics and Space Administration FY 2022 Spending Plan" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 03 January 2023. Archived from the original on 03 January 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
77. "NASA FY 2021 Budget Estimates" (PDF). NASA.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
78. J. Foust (September 16, 2015). "First Crewed Orion Mission May Slip to 2023". Space News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
79. Clark, Stephen (September 16, 2015). "Orion spacecraft may not fly with astronauts until 2023". spaceflightnow.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
80. Smith, Marcia (May 1, 2014). "Mikulski "Deeply Troubled" by NASA's Budget Request; SLS Won't Use 70 Percent JCL". spacepolicyonline.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
81. Foust, Jeff (9 January 2024). "NASA delays Artemis 2 and 3 missions" Spacenews. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
82. "Orion Production and Operations Contract". govtribe.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
83. Berger, Eric (September 24, 2019). "After 15 years of development, Lockheed wins new cost-plus contract for Orion; Originally, NASA had hoped for a fixed-price deal". ars.technica. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
84. Berger, Eric (August 19, 2016). "How much will SLS and Orion cost to fly? Finally, some answers". arstechnica.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
85. Berger, Eric (October 20, 2017). "NASA chooses not to tell Congress how much deep space missions cost". arstechnica.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
86. "NASA Extreme Makeover—Space Vehicle Mockup Facility". nasa.gov. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
87. "What Goes Up Must Come Down As Orion Crew Vehicle Development Continues". Space-travel.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
88. "Orion Continues to Make a Splash". Space-travel.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
89. "Orion Drop Test – Jan. 06, 2012". Space-travel.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
90. Bergin, Chris (November 6, 2011). "NASA managers approve EFT-1 flight as Orion pushes for orbital debut". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
91. ^ Bergin, Chris (October 17, 2011). "Space-bound Orion taking shape – "Lunar Surface First" missions referenced". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
92. "NASA Conducts Orion Parachute Testing for Orbital Test Flight". Space-travel.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
93. Bergin, Chris (February 10, 2012). "Orion hoping for success with second generation parachute system". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
94. Bergin, Chris (February 26, 2012). "Orion PTV preparing for drop test on Wednesday – EFT-1 Orion progress". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
95. "NASA Conducts New Parachute Test for Orion". Space-travel.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
96. "Orion parachutes preparing for another milestone drop test on April 17 | NASASpaceFlight.com". www.nasaspaceflight.com. April 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
97. "President Bush Announces New Vision for Space Exploration Program" (Press release). White House Office of the Press Secretary. January 14, 2004. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2006.
98. "Orion Spacecraft – Nasa Orion Spacecraft". aerospaceguide.net. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
99. "NASA Names New Crew Exploration Vehicle Orion" (Press release). NASA. August 22, 2006. Archived from the original on January 27, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
100. Handlin, Daniel; Bergin, Chris (October 11, 2006). "NASA sets Orion 13 for Moon Return". NASAspaceflight.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
101. Handlin, Daniel; Bergin, Chris (July 22, 2006). "NASA makes major design changes to CEV". NASAspaceflight.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2007.
102. "NASA Names Orion Contractor". NASA. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on November 20, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
103. "NASA Glenn To Test Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle". SpaceDaily. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
104. "NASA: Constellation Abort Test November 2008". Nasa.gov. December 11, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
105. "NASA Orion LAS Pathfinder". Nasa.gov. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
106. "NASA Completes Test of Orion Crew Capsule". Fox News. May 6, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
107. "NASA Orion PORT Test". Nasa.gov. March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
108. Augustine Commission Final Report Archived November 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Published 22 Oct. 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
109. NASA in Obama's Hands. Archived December 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Information Addict Website, by Nathaniel Downes. Published 18 June 2012. Retrieved 14 Dec 2014.
110. "Today – President Signs NASA 2010 Authorization Act". Universetoday.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
111. What is NASA's Constellation Program? archived from the original the original Sciences 360 Website, By Tenebris. Discussion of multiple version development of Orion capsule. Published Nov. 17, 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
112. "Orion Spacecraft Complete". NASA. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
113. Fountain, Henry (December 5, 2014). "NASA's Orion Spacecraft Splashes Down in Pacific After Test Flight". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
114. "NASA & US Navy Test Demonstrates Water Recovery of Orion Crew Capsule". Universetoday.com. August 16, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
115. ^ Klamper, Amy (August 14, 2009). "Nevada Company Pitches 'Lite' Concept for NASA's New Spaceship". space.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
116. Klamper, Amy (August 14, 2009). "Company pitches 'lite' spaceship to NASA". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
117. Bigelow still thinks big Archived July 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Space Review, 2010-11-01, accessed 2010-11-02. " Bigelow revealed that he had been working with Lockheed Martin on a capsule concept in the 2004–2005 period. 'We engaged in a million-dollar contract a couple years after that with Lockheed, and they created for us an Orion mockup, an Orion Lite.'
118. Rincon, Paul (August 3, 2021). "Boeing's Starliner spacecraft: A guide". BBC. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
119. Space Hotel Visionary Proposes Modified "Orion Lite" Spaceship for NASA: Bigelow Airspace's concept is for low Earth-orbit missions only Archived June 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Popular Science, Jeremy Hsu, 14 August 2009
120. "Discoverer 14 – NSSDC ID: 1960-010A". NASA. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
121. "NASA's New Orion Spacecraft Completes First Spaceflight Test". NASA.gov. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
122. "Orion Off-loaded for Trip Back to Florida". NASA.gov. December 9, 2014. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
123. Clark, Stephen (April 26, 2022). "NASA's moon rocket rolls back to Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
124. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 13, 2023). "NASA planning to spend up to $1 billion on space station deorbit module". SpaceNews. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
125. ^ Tingley, Brett (January 9, 2024). "Astronauts won't walk on the moon until 2026 after NASA delays next 2 Artemis missions". Space.com. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
126. ^ "FY 2025 Budget Request | FY 2025 President's Budget Request Moon to Mars Manifest" (PDF). NASA. April 15, 2024. p. 6. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
127. Davenport, Christion (July 10, 2019). "Shakeup at NASA as space agency scrambles to meet Trump moon mandate". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
128. Berger 2019, "Developed by the agency's senior human spaceflight manager, Bill Gerstenmaier, this plan is everything Pence asked for—an urgent human return, a Moon base, a mix of existing and new contractors."
129. Foust 2019, "After Artemis 3, NASA would launch four additional crewed missions to the lunar surface between 2025 and 2028. Meanwhile, the agency would work to expand the Gateway by launching additional components and crew vehicles and laying the foundation for an eventual moon base."
130. ^ "America to the Moon 2024" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
131. Berger 2019, "This decade-long plan, which entails 37 launches of private and NASA rockets, as well as a mix of robotic and human landers, culminates with a "Lunar Surface Asset Deployment" in 2028, likely the beginning of a surface outpost for long-duration crew stays."
132. Berger 2019, "NASA's "notional" plan for a human return to the Moon by 2024, and an outpost by 2028."
133. ^ Foust, Jeff (April 18, 2021). "Independent report concludes 2033 human Mars mission is not feasible". SpaceNews. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
134. Foust, Jeff (June 15, 2020). "Hugging Hubble longer". The Space Review. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
135. Foust, Jeff (October 31, 2022). "The current Artemis planning manifest, now updated to include a lunar landing on Artemis 4" (Tweet). Retrieved October 31, 2022 – via Twitter.
136. "Preliminary Report Regarding NASA's Space Launch System and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle" (PDF). NASA. January 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
137. NASA Unveils the Keys to Getting Astronauts to Mars and Beyond Archived November 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Neel V. Patel, The Inverse. April 4, 2017.
138. ^ Habitat for Long Duration Deep Space Missions. Archived September 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Preliminary design proposal for DSH by Rucker & Thompson. Published 5 May 2012, retrieved 8 December 2014.
139. 2012 X-Hab Academic Innovation Challenge Progress Update. Archived March 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. NASA DSH design news update. Published June 21, 2012, retrieved 8 Dec. 2014.
140. Foust, Jeff (June 14, 2017). "NASA closing out Asteroid Redirect Mission". Space News. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
141. Dryden Flight Research Center (May 6, 2010). "Orion Pad Abort 1 Test a Spectacular Success". National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. The 500,000-lb. thrust abort motor rocketed the boilerplate crew module and its launch abort stack away from launch pad 32E at White Sands...
142. Pearlman, Robert (May 7, 2010). "NASA's Launch Abort Test Builds on 50 Years of Astronaut Escape Systems". Space.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. The Pad Abort-1 (PA1) flight test, which flew a boilerplate 16-foot (4.9-meter) wide, 18,000-pound (8,160-kg) Orion capsule under a nearly 45-foot (13.7-meter)long launch abort system (LAS) tower The flight lasted about 135 seconds from launch until the module touched down...
143. Dunn, Marcia (December 6, 2014). "NASA launches new Orion spacecraft and new era (w/ video)". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. Friday's Orion — serial number 001 — lacked seats, cockpit displays and life-support equipment, but brought along bundles of toys and memorabilia...
144. ^ Davis, Jason (December 5, 2014). "Orion Returns to Earth after Successful Test Flight". The Planetary Society. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. As impressive as this flight was, this was just serial number 001 of Orion," he said. "Serial number 002—that one is going to be on the Space Launch System.
145. "Orion EFT-1 flown spacecraft joins display in 'NASA Now' exhibit | collectSPACE". collectSPACE.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
146. Clark, Stephen (July 1, 2019). "Critical abort test of NASA's Orion crew capsule set for Tuesday". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. "So 20 seconds after the LAS (launch abort system) jettisons from the crew module, we start ejecting, so the first pair comes out 20 seconds after the LAS is jettisoned, and then every 10 seconds until all 12 are ejected." The capsule is expected to tumble after the abort system jettisons, and it will impact the sea at 300 mph (480 kilometers per hour) around 7 miles (11 kilometers) offshore, and is designed to sink to the ocean floor, according to Reed.
147. Sloss, Philip (October 25, 2019). "NASA conducting data deep dive following July's Orion ascent abort test". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. The Ascent Abort-2 test used a ballistic missile to accelerate a production-design LAS with a Crew Module shaped, highly-instrumented test lab to carefully picked flight condition where a full LAS abort sequence was executed. impact with the water destroyed the test article.
148. Kremer, Ken (March 30, 2010). "3 Welds to Go for 1st Orion Pathfinder Vehicle". Universe Today. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. ...the very first pathfinder Orion manned capsule – the Crew Module – known as the Ground Test Article (GTA) The GTA is the first full-sized, flight-like test article for Orion.
149. Bergin, Chris (November 14, 2011). "EFT-1 Orion receives hatch door – Denver Orion ready for Modal Testing". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. As much as the Service Module (SM) design is still undergoing evaluation – which includes discussions about utilizing hardware from the European Space Agency's ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) – the test vehicle includes an Orion Ground Test Article (GTA), in a Launch Abort Vehicle (LAV) configuration, with installed ogives and a mock SM.
150. Crane, Aimee (June 25, 2020). "Orion's 'Twin' Completes Structural Testing for Artemis I Mission". NASA. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
151. ^ Vuong, Zen (December 3, 2014). "JPL joins NASA's first agency-wide social media event to highlight Thursday's Orion flight test". Pasadena Star-News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020. Orion 002, 003 and 004 will become lessons that will further humanity in its quest to inhabit Mars and become Earth-independent. "Orion tail number 003 has a special place in my heart," he said. "Four of my astronauts are going to climb into it and have an adventure of a lifetime...
152. @NASAGroundSys (April 25, 2023). "De-servicing of Artemis I Crew Module complete! Teams in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility completed cleaning cycles & removal of avionics to be reused on @NASA_Orion for Artemis II. The capsule will be used as an environmental test article on future Artemis missions" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
153. ^ Damadeo, Kristyn (September 9, 2021). "Next Generation of Orion Spacecraft in Production". NASA. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.

External links

• AA-2 Orion Launch video
• Official website
• ESA Photo Gallery
• Mission concept for combined Orion/Sample return

v t e Orion spacecraft
Components	Crew module European Service Module Orbital Maneuvering System
Programs	Artemis Constellation Exploration Ground Systems
Launch vehicles	Delta IV Heavy Orion Abort Test Booster Space Launch System
Precursors or Cancelled	Crew Exploration Vehicle Ares V Ares I
Missions	Abort tests MLAS (Jul 2009) Pad Abort-1 (May 2010) Ascent Abort-2 (Jul 2019) Uncrewed Ares I-X (Oct 2009) Exploration Flight Test-1 (Dec 2014) Artemis I (Nov 2022) Crewed Artemis II (2025) Artemis III (2026) Artemis IV (2028) Artemis V (2030)
Future missions indicated in italics. Category

v t e Artemis program
List of missions astronauts Commercial Lunar Payload Services Exploration Ground Systems Gateway Logistics Services
Missions	Uncrewed Artemis I (2022) Peregrine Mission One (2024) IM-1 (2024) Blue Ghost M1 (2024) IM-2 (2025) Crewed Artemis II (2025) Artemis III (2026) Artemis IV (2028) Artemis V (2030)
Agencies	NASA Australian Space Agency Canadian Space Agency European Space Agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency State Space Agency of Ukraine Korea Aerospace Research Institute New Zealand Space Agency Brazilian Space Agency Saudi Space Commission
Facilities	Cape Canaveral Space Force Station SLC-37B SLC-40 SLC-41 SLC-46 Kennedy Space Center LC-39A LC-39B Mission Control Center SpaceX Starbase Vandenberg Space Force Base SLC-3E SLC-4E White Sands Missile Range
Rockets	Electron Falcon 9 Falcon Heavy Space Launch System Starship Vulcan Centaur Ariane 6 New Glenn
Crewed spacecraft	Human Landing System Starship Blue Moon Lunar Gateway Lunar Terrain Vehicle Orion European Service Module
Robotic spacecraft	CAPSTONE HERACLES Argonaut Nova-C Peregrine VIPER rover
Category

v t e Constellation program
List of missions
Test flights	MLAS (Jul 2009) Ares I-X (Oct 2009)
Launch vehicles	Ares I Ares IV Ares V Lite Shuttle-Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Jupiter
Spacecraft	Crew Exploration Vehicle Orion Altair
Launch sites	Launch Complex 39 A B
Ground facilities	Kennedy Space Center Mission Control Center
Abort systems	Orion abort modes Launch Abort System (LAS) Max Launch Abort System (MLAS)
Related topics	Vision for Space Exploration Exploration Systems Architecture Study DIRECT Constellation Space Suit NASA Authorization Act of 2005 Augustine Commission Artemis program
Category Commons

v t e Crewed lunar spacecraft
Orbiters	Apollo command and service module Cancelled LK-1 / LK-700 (VA) Zond (Soyuz 7K-L1) LOK (Soyuz 7K-L3) Future Lunar Gateway‎ Orion Orel Mengzhou
Landers	Apollo Lunar Module Canceled Lunniy Korabl Altair Future Blue Moon Lanyue Starship HLS
Proposed	Lunar Orbital Station Boeing Lunar Lander Lockheed Martin Lunar Lander
Related	Moon landing conspiracy theories List of lunar probes List of artificial objects on the Moon List of missions to the Moon

• Orion (spacecraft)
• Crewed spacecraft
• Proposed spacecraft
• Deep Space Habitat
• Artemis program
• Vehicles introduced in 2014
• Reusable spacecraft
• Lunar Gateway
• NASA spacecraft