News Archive / Tagged: EM-1

• EM-1 could become Apollo 8 for the 21st century

  Derek RichardsonFebruary 24th, 2017

  NASA is taking a hard look at having crew fly on the first integrated mission of the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy-lift rocket and Orion spacecraft. At present, NASA is only undertaking a feasibility study, reviewing what risks would be incurred, what needs to be added to allow for this happen, and what potential benefits could be had.

• NASA studying the possibility of adding crew to EM-1

  Curt GodwinFebruary 16th, 2017

  On Feb. 15, 2017, Robert Lightfoot, NASA's acting administrator, announced that he was ordering a study on the feasibility of adding a crew to Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). This would mark a significant change from the agency's current mission roadmap, which has EM-1 flying uncrewed in 2018, with crew ultimately launching several years later on EM-2.

• Massive SLS test stand completed at Marshall

  David BrownJanuary 13th, 2017

  NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, located in Huntsville, Alabama, recently marked the completion of major construction for Test Stand 4693, wrapping up work that began in May 2014. Engineers will now connect networks of cables, pipes, valves control systems, cameras, and other equipment needed to test the massive Space Launch System (SLS) hydrogen tank.

• Orion Mission Update for September 2016

  Mackenzie KaneOctober 1st, 2016

  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — As NASA’s Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) approaches, its science and technology are being tested and prepared across the country. EM-1 is set to launch the Orion capsule aboard the new Space Launch System (SLS) out past the Moon, crewless, for systems testing.

• NASA discusses SLS and Orion progress at ‘Day of Mars’ event

  Curt GodwinAugust 22nd, 2016

  NEW ORLEANS — Before wowing onlookers with the sights and sounds related to testing an RS-25 engine, NASA sought to educate members of traditional and social media outlets about agency and industry efforts related to the Journey to Mars.

• Orion service module completes critical design review

  Derek RichardsonJuly 3rd, 2016

  A joint critical design review (CDR) of the Orion service module was completed earlier this month by teams at both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The European-built module will provide power, propellant, and consumables for future crewed missions into deep space.

• Orion pressure vessel moved to test stand at KSC

  Derek RichardsonMay 1st, 2016

  The Exploration Mission 1 Orion spacecraft scheduled to fly around the Moon in 2018 was moved to a test stand to assess the structural integrity of the vehicle's underlying structure—the pressure vessel. This is just the latest step the spacecraft has undertaken in the lead up to its next flight.

• Cage match for next Orion capsule at Kennedy Space Center

  Joe LatrellFebruary 8th, 2016

  After a quick trip from Louisiana to Florida via the Super Guppy transport, the latest Orion crew module was mated with the "birdcage" – a structural assembly system. This is just the latest step in the lead up to the fully integrated flight of Orion and NASA's Space Launch System booster – slated for late 2018.

• Full scale mockup of NASA’s Orion spacecraft completed in lead up to 2018 EM-1 mission

  Jason RhianMay 13th, 2015

  In Littleton, Colorado, Lockheed Martin has completed the construction of a full-scale mockup of NASA’s new crew-rated spacecraft, Orion. This Orion crew module and adapter full-scale mockup was transferred to the Orion Test Lab (OTL ) on May 13, 2015, so that it can be used to prepare Orion for its second flight into the black on Exploration […]

• NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission gains steam – if not an overarching program

  Jason RhianDecember 21st, 2014

  In April of 2010, President Barack Obama announced that NASA would take a new direction, part of that new path would include a crewed mission to an asteroid. This past week, NASA announced that it has made progress toward what that mission would actually look like. NASA’s Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot spoke with members of the […]