Orion

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 2 мин. назад

Here's the EM-1 announcement presser details....

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orion_monthly_newsletter_04-2017_0.pdf - 2509966 B, 12 стр

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William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews 48 мин. назад

SLS/Orion/EM1: NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot says it is feasible to put a crew on first flight of SLS...

48 мин. назад

SLS/Orion/EM1: ...but not the best way to proceed; no crew on EM-1 test flight; launch will slip into 2019, but exact date TBD

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 38 мин. назад

Gerst: delays on EM-1 could delay EM-2, since need to make modifications to ground system to accommodate vehicle changes.
 
38 мин. назад

Gerst: estimated it would cost $600 to 900 million to put a crew on EM-1.

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 19 мин. назад

That's it for the fall. Summary: NASA now plans to fly EM-1, without a crew, some time in 2019. Exact date TBD.

[Bizonich]

Не летим. :cry:

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https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-affirms-plan-for-first-mission-of-sls-orion

May 12, 2017
 
 NASA Affirms Plan for First Mission of SLS, Orion
 
In February, NASA began an effort looking at the feasibility of putting crew aboard the first integrated flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft -- Exploration Mission-1, or EM-1.
After weighing the data and assessing all implications, the agency will continue pursuing the original
plan for the first launch, as a rigorous flight test of the integrated systems without crew. However,
engineers will apply insights gained from the effort to the first flight test and the integrated systems to
strengthen the long-term push to extend human presence deeper into the solar system.

NASA determined it is technically capable of launching crew on EM-1, but after evaluating cost, risk and technical factors in a project of this magnitude, it would be difficult to accommodate changes needed to add crew at this point in mission planning. The effort confirmed that the baseline plan to fly EM-1 without crew is still the best approach to enable humans to move sustainably beyond low Earth orbit.

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"We appreciate the opportunity to evaluate the possibility of this crewed flight," said NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot. "The bi-partisan support of Congress and the President for our efforts to send astronauts deeper into the solar system than we have ever gone before is valued and does not go unnoticed. Presidential support for space has been strong."

Exploration Mission-1 is the first in a broad series of exploration missions that will take humans to deep space, and eventually to Mars. It is designed to be a flight test of our entire system -- one that is challenging in itself and will offer the opportunity to better understand our capabilities and limitations and ultimately build confidence in our ability to safely send crew into deep space.

"We're considering additional ground testing of the heat shield prior to EM-1 as well as the possibility of advancing the ascent abort test for the Orion launch abort system based on findings from the study," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "Conducting these tests in advance of EM-1 would provide additional data that will advance our systems knowledge faster and possibly improve the robustness of the overall plan for sending humans into deep space."

As part of the assessment, NASA also reviewed the schedule for EM-1, including production schedules across the enterprise, anticipated budgets and appropriations, projected delivery of the European Service Module, first time production issues related to the core stage that is at the leading edge of new manufacturing, and the ongoing impact of the February tornado that directly affected the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. As a result of these factors, NASA will adjust the target launch date for the EM-1 mission to 2019, and will execute its normal process in the coming weeks to determine an official revised launch date.

NASA continues to keep each part of the enterprise – Orion, SLS, and ground systems – moving at their best possible pace toward the first integrated test mission. While components for EM-1 are being delivered, contractors can turn to the next phase of their work for the second flight, Exploration Mission-2, which will carry crew beyond the moon.

Flight hardware for SLS and Orion is currently in production for both the first and second missions, and progress continues across the country. The SLS engine section structural test hardware is currently aboard a barge on its way to the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama for testing, a series of engine tests is taking place in Mississippi, and the Orion abort attitude control system was tested in Maryland. An abort motor for the launch abort system will soon be tested in Utah, and avionics systems for the Orion European Service Module have been integrated into the Orion testing laboratory near Denver. Meanwhile at the Kennedy Space Center, Orion's heat shield is being installed, and ground systems and software
continue development. In addition, deep space habitation and propulsion system development activities also are underway and life support and related technologies are being tested 250 miles above the Earth aboard the International Space Station now.

"We are building both systems and supporting infrastructure to ensure a sustained cadence of missions beginning with EM-1 and continuing thereafter," said Lightfoot.
"NASA will continue to work with the Administration and Congress as we move toward a crewed flight test on EM-2 and, right now, we are very focused on accomplishing the EM-1 flight test."

NASA continues to lead the way in sending humans into deep space beyond the moon through building a flexible, reusable and sustainable capability and infrastructure that will last multiple decades and support missions of increasing complexity. This infrastructure will be available for use by others both domestic and international as they want to join in the effort to advance human presence into the solar system. These systems create an incredible capability from which future generations will continue to benefit.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2017
Editor: Kathryn Hambleton

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https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/nasa-em-1-uncrewed-costs-main-reason/

[zandr]

https://ria.ru/science/20170513/1494223777.html

Первый тестовый полет сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя SLS пройдет без экипажа
ВАШИНГТОН, 13 мая — РИА Новости. НАСА исключило возможность отправки астронавтов в первый же тестовый полет новой сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя SLS (Space Launch System), старт которой переносится на 2019 год, сообщило ведомство в пятницу.
"НАСА обладает техническими возможностями отправки экипажа в ходе EM-1 (первый тестовый полет), но после оценки стоимости, риска и технических факторов в проекте такого масштаба на данном этапе его реализации было бы сложно обеспечить изменения, необходимые для добавления экипажа", — сообщило ведомство.
"Наши усилия подтвердили, что изначальный план полета без экипажа по-прежнему является лучшим подходом для обеспечения полетов человека за пределы низкой околоземной орбиты", — говорится в заявлении.
Ранее в феврале по рекомендации контрольно-бюджетного управления США НАСА приступило к изучению возможности отправки людей в космос уже в ходе первой, испытательной миссии строящейся американской сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя SLS (Space Launch System) — на пилотируемом корабле Orion. Первоначально планировалось, что первый испытательный полет (сентябрь 2018 года) будет беспилотным, второй (2021) — с участием экипажа.
По обновленному графику, первый тестовый полет теперь состоится в 2019 году. В НАСА поясняют, что задержка вызвана "сроками производства, ожидаемым бюджетом, доставкой Европейского сервисного модуля, выявленных в ходе первичного произодства первой ступени (ракеты-носителя) проблем, а также последствий прошедшего в феврале торнадо, который непосредственно задел сборочный комплекс "Мишу" (Michoud Assembly Facility)".
"Учитывая все эти факторы, НАСА изменит планируемую дату старта на 2019 год", — сообщило ведомство. Уточненный график запуска будет согласован и утвержден позднее.

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NASA Space Launch System Teleconference, May 12, 2017
 

SpaceKSCBlog

Опубликовано: 13 мая 2017 г.

On May 12, 2017, NASA held a teleconference to discuss the feasibility of placing astronauts on the first flight of the Space Launch System. NASA also announced that the first flight will be delayed into 2019.

Participants were:

Robert Lightfoot
Acting Administrator

William Gerstenmaier
Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations

(P.S. - картинка - заставка, только звук)

(44:13)

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 26 мин назад

Preparations are underway for the test fire of @NASA_Orion's launch abort motor on June 15 in Utah http://bit.ly/2pt9fP3  #SLSFiredUp

http://www.orbitalatk.com/rocket-test/

QM-1 Static Ground Test of the Launch Abort Motor for Orion Launch Abort System

This summer, NASA and Orbital ATK will conduct the QM-1 Static Ground Test of the Launch Abort Motor for NASA's Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System, which will greatly enhance crew safety on missions to explore deep space.

   What: Vertical ground test firing of QM-1 launch abort motor   

   When: June 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m. MDT

   Where: Orbital ATK facility in Promontory, Utah

 Watch Live on NASA TV

A public viewing area is available along State Road 83 North approximately 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah (see map – follow directions to Promontory). Please note: We recommend you arrive at the viewing site an hour prior to the test.

Please Note: Drones are NOT allowed to fly over Orbital ATK property.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2017/05/16/orion-processing-continues-at-kennedy-space-center-for-first-flight-with-sls/

Orion Processing Continues at Kennedy Space Center for First Flight with SLS

Posted on May 16, 2017 at 11:37 am by Linda Herridge.



Work continues to prepare NASA's Orion crew module for its first integrated flight atop the Space Launch System rocket. The crew module was moved from a clean room to a work station inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for the next additions to the spacecraft.

In the clean room, engineers and technicians completed the welding of the tanks to the propulsion and environmental control/life support systems (ECLSS) tubing. They also completed welding to install the propellant, pressurant and post-landing coolant tanks. The pressurant is used to maintain the flow of propellant and coolant in the propulsion and ECLSS systems, respectively.

Now secured in a work station, Orion will undergo additional processing to prepare it for launch in 2019. The crew module up-righting system, comprised of five up-righting bag assemblies, each with an inflation gas assembly, will be installed in the crew module's forward bay. The up-righting bags are inflated after the crew module splashes down in the ocean and will turn the spacecraft upright if external forces cause it to roll over. The three main parachute assemblies also will be installed in the forward bay.

Orion's crew module will be populated with avionics components, including control systems and communication and data units. Flight wire harnesses, which distribute power and data among the spacecraft's systems, will be routed throughout the crew module's forward bay, crew cabin and aft- and mid-bays.

The first flight of SLS and Orion will send the spacecraft beyond the moon before Orion returns to Earth and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. The mission will demonstrate the integrated performance of the SLS rocket, Orion and ground support teams before a flight with crew in the early 2020s.

Photo credit: NASA/Leif Heimbold

This entry was posted in Kennedy, Orion Spacecraft on May 16, 2017 by Linda Herridge.

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 2 ч. назад
 
T-minus one week! Next Thursday we will test fire the launch abort motor for @NASA_Orion Launch Abort System

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 2 мин. назад

It's test week! On Thursday, we will test fire our launch abort motor for @NASA_Orion Launch Abort System at our Promontory, Utah facility

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http://www.orbitalatk.com/rocket-test/

QM-1 Static Ground Test of the Launch Abort Motor for Orion Launch Abort System

This summer, NASA and Orbital ATK will conduct the QM-1 Static Ground Test of the Launch Abort Motor for NASA's Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System, which will greatly enhance crew safety on missions to explore deep space.

[/li]
•     What: Vertical ground test firing of QM-1 launch abort motor
•     When: June 15, 2017, 1:00 p.m. MDT
•     Where: Orbital ATK facility in Promontory, Utah
  

Спойлер

A public viewing area is available along State Road 83 North approximately 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah (see map – follow directions to Promontory). Please note: We recommend you arrive at the viewing site an hour prior to the test.

Please Note: Drones are NOT allowed to fly over Orbital ATK property.

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1:00 p.m. MDT --> 19:00 UTC (22:00 ДМВ)

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Orion Spacecraft‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Orion 59 мин назад

Watch live broadcast of abort motor test at @OrbitalATK test facility in Utah on June 15, 2017 at 2PM CDT. http://facebook.com/nasaorion

https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/874769831073132544

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Mark Kirasich‏ @MarkKirasich 13 ч. назад

Congratulations to the Orion parachute team on today's successful drop test in Yuma, Arizona!

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http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/orbital-sciences-corp/orbital-atk-poised-to-test-orion-launch-abort-motor/

Orbital ATK poised to test Orion Launch Abort Motor

JUNE 14th, 2017 | by Jason Rhian


NASA, Orbital ATK, and Lockheed Martin are preparing to conduct the QM-1 static test fire of the Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort Motor at 1 p.m. MDT June 15 at Promontory, Utah. Photo Credit: Orbital ATK

PROMONTORY, Utah — On Thursday, June 15, 2017, NASA, Orbital ATK, and Lockheed Martin are slated to carry out the first of three qualification ground tests (QM-1) of the Launch Abort Motor being developed for use on the space agency's Orion spacecraft.

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The test will last for a mere five seconds and will test out several of the motor's performance aspects. Photo Credit: Orbital ATK

The vertical ground test firing is slated to take place at 1 p.m. MDT (19:00 GMT) at Orbital ATK's test facility located near Promontory, Utah.

In the event of an emergency either at the launch pad or during ascent, Orion is fitted with a Launch Abort System, or "LAS", that would pull Orion's Command Module away from the vehicle's Service Module as well as the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket it is attached to.

The 17-foot (5.2-meter) tall Launch Abort Motor set to be tested is the main motor in the escape system and has a diameter of about three feet (1 meter). It has a manifold that has four nozzles and turns the flow of the flames to create a pulling motion.

Thursday's test is scheduled to last for only about five seconds. However, it will be an impressive five seconds with the motor reaching 400,000 pounds-force (1,800 kN) of thrust in just one-eighth of a second, sending plumes some 100 feet (100 meters) into the desert sky.

During an actual abort scenario, either on the launch pad or up to 300,000 feet (91,000 meters) in altitude during the vehicles climb toward orbit, the motor would pull the Orion spacecraft's Command Module away from whatever event would require a hasty retreat away from the launch vehicle and spacecraft.

For this test, the abort motor was fitted onto a specially-designed vertical test stand with the nozzles pointed skyward. When activated, the plumes of fire and smoke will shoot into the sky.

The motor is currently on the test stand, which has temporary thermal panels between the motor's four legs to better regulate thermal conditioning, which was initiated on Sunday, June 11. The panels will be removed a few hours before the test. Once this has occurred, Orbital ATK's engineers will erect the heat shield acoustic array above the motor and perform final instrument checks for the test firing, according to a statement provided to SpaceFlight Insider by Orbital ATK.

"This is the first static fire test that validates the ballistic performance of the abort motor operational propellant grain design," Steve Sara, Orbital ATK's Launch Abort Motor program director told SpaceFlight Insider. "It also verifies the motor performance under the high-temperature design limits as well as design changes since the development test performed in 2008."

If everything continues to go as NASA and its family of contractors plan, the SLS will conduct its maiden flight from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B in 2019. It will send an Orion spacecraft on a circumlunar journey designed as a shakedown flight before sending crews aloft on the rocket in 2023.

NASA looked into the possibility of having a crew fly on the 2019 inaugural flight of the SLS, as part of a directive from NASA's Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot. The space agency, however, opted to maintain the current path it was on as there were too many logistical and technological elements that would not support a human flight under that timeline.

An Orion spacecraft has already conducted one uncrewed flight, atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket on Exploration Flight Test 1 in December of 2014.

Those wishing to watch the test can go to a public viewing site along State Road 83 North (about 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah).

Video courtesy of Wired

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Updated at 2 p.m. EDT, June 14, to clarify the maximum altitude the Launch Abort Motor can be used during ascent.

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 2 мин. назад

The @NASA_Orion abort motor propellant burns 3-4 times faster than a typical motor this size providing 400k lbs of thrust in 1/8 of a second

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Orbital ATK‏Подлинная учетная запись @OrbitalATK 2 ч. назад

Orbital ATK's Launch Abort Motor Program Director Steve Sara speaks to media about the @NASA_Orion launch abort motor prior to today's test



2 ч. назад

Less than 2 hours until today's test fire! Learn more about our contributions to the @NASA_Orion launch abort motor http://bit.ly/2szIvde

http://www.orbitalatk.com/flight-systems/propulsion-systems/launch-abort-motor/default.aspx

Launch Abort Motor for Orion Exploration Vehicle

Orbital ATK manufactures the main abort motor and attitude control motor that are an integral part of the Launch Abort System for NASA's Orion spacecraft that will launch atop NASA's Space Launch System and carry crew to deep space missions.

The Space Launch System will incorporate the Launch Abort System to safely lift the Orion crew module away from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during ascent.

 More Information

Propulsion Systems Factsheet      
Launch Abort System Factsheet
Attitude Control Motor Factsheet