Orion (spacecraft) explained

Orion
Operator:NASA[1]
Applications:Crewed exploration beyond LEO[2]
Spacecraft Type:Crewed
Design Life:21.1 days[3]
Payload Capacity:220lb return payload
Crew Capacity:4
Length:10inchesft10inchesin (ftin)
Diameter:16inchesft6inchesin (ftin)
Power:Solar
Orbits:Lunar Transfer Orbit, lunar orbit
Status:In service
Built:4
Orders:6–12 (+3 ordered before 2019) [4]
Launched:2
First:December 5, 2014
Pcost:US$21.5 billion nominal ($26.3 billion inflation adjusted to 2022)

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 and the 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 modeled after those used in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A single AJ10 engine provides the spacecraft's primary propulsion, while eight R-4D-11 engines, and six pods of custom reaction control system engines developed by Airbus, provide the spacecraft's secondary propulsion. 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 heavily 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 CM 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.[5]

, three flight-worthy Orion spacecraft are 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 1.[6] [7] [8]

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 will be capable of supporting long-duration deep space missions with up to 21 days of active crew time plus 6 months' quiescent spacecraft life.[9] 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.

The Orion spacecraft includes both crew and service modules, a spacecraft adapter and an emergency launch abort system. The Orion 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.[10] [11] 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, 5.02m (16.47feet) in diameter and 3.3m (10.8feet) in length,[12] with a mass of about 8.5MT. It was manufactured by the Lockheed Martin Corporation at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.[13] [14] [15] [16] It has 50% more volume than the Apollo capsule and will carry four astronauts.[1] 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.[17]

Orion's CM uses advanced technologies, including:

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.[19] [20]

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 minutes of ascent. Orion is designed to be 10 times safer during ascent and reentry than the Space Shuttle.[21] 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.[22]

As of 2019, the Spacecraft Atmospheric Monitor is planned to be used in the Orion CM.[23]

European Service Module (ESM)

See main article: European Service Module. In May 2011, the ESA director general announced a possible collaboration with NASA to work on a successor to the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).[24] 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.[25] The second examined the possible production of a versatile multi purpose orbital vehicle.[26]

On November 21, 2012, the ESA decided to develop an ATV-derived service module for Orion.[27] The service module is being manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen, Germany.[28] NASA announced on January 16, 2013, that the ESA service module will first fly on Artemis 1, the debut launch of the Space Launch System.

Testing of the European service module began in February 2016, at the Space Power Facility.[29]

On February 16, 2017, a €200m 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 2.[30]

On October 26, 2018 the first unit for Artemis 1 was assembled in full at Airbus Defence and Space's factory in Bremen, Germany.[31]

Launch Abort System (LAS)

See also: Orion abort modes.

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),[32] 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[33] and the jettison motor separates the LAS from the crew capsule.[34] 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37]

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 and be capable of performing maneuvers requiring up to of delta-v.[38]

History

The Orion MPCV was announced by NASA on May 24, 2011.[39] Its design is based on the Crew Exploration Vehicle from the canceled Constellation program,[40] which had been a 2006 NASA contract award to Lockheed Martin.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orion Reference Guide. NASA Johnson Space Center. September 29, 2023.
  2. Web site: NASA Authorization Act of 2010 . Thomas.loc.gov . November 20, 2010 . December 19, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101219155126/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s3729: .
  3. News: NASA ESD set key Orion requirement based on Lunar missions . . Bergin . Chris . July 10, 2012 . July 23, 2012 . July 17, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120717024118/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/07/nasa-esd-key-orion-requirement-lunar-missions/ . live .
  4. Web site: NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production Contract . NASA . September 23, 2019 . 18 April 2020 . June 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200624201359/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-commits-to-long-term-artemis-missions-with-orion-production-contract/ . live .
  5. Cesar . Alan . An Aerospace Titan Rooted in the Midwest . Aerogram . 15 Dec 2023 . 2024-01-09 .
  6. Web site: Kraft . Rachel . 2022-05-16 . Artemis I Mission Availability . 2022-09-07 . NASA.
  7. News: NASA's Artemis I mission delayed again as storm barrels toward launch site. November 8, 2022. November 9, 2022. Jackie. Wattles. Warner Bros Discovery. CNN.
  8. Web site: NASA Prepares Rocket, Spacecraft Ahead of Tropical Storm Nicole, Re-targets Launch . . 8 November 2022 . 9 November 2022.
  9. Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) . NTRS.nasa.gov . . . 2009 . April 7, 2014 . L. . Peterson . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407215209/http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090029327.pdf . April 7, 2014 . live.
  10. Web site: NASA – A 21st Century-Style Return to the Moon. nasa.gov. June 3, 2018. September 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170905232237/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/21st_century_style_return_to_the_moon.html. live.
  11. Web site: Bergin . Chris . EFT-1 Orion completes assembly and conducts FRR . NASASpaceflight.com . October 30, 2014 . November 10, 2014 . August 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160817092439/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/10/eft-1-orion-assembly-conduts-frr/ . live .
  12. NASA – Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. February 7, 2009. NASA. February 7, 2009. April 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210408073530/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/156298main_orion_handout.pdf. live.
  13. News: Lockheed to build Nasa 'Moonship' . August 31, 2006 . BBC News . March 1, 2007 . April 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417181900/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5304086.stm . live .
  14. Web site: Michoud Tenants: Lockheed Martin. LaNasa. Shannon. 2021. June 27, 2021. Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA. March 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210318002450/https://mafspace.msfc.nasa.gov/current-tenants/lockheed-martin/. live.
  15. Web site: Cristina. Victoria. Behind the scenes at NASA Michoud: Assembly of the Orion Crew Modules. April 26, 2021. WGNO. Nexstar Media Group. February 12, 2022.
  16. 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.. NASA_Orion. NASA Orion public relations. September 10, 2021. 1436382093404221453.
  17. NASA Ames Research Center . April 7, 2009 . NASA Selects Material for Orion Spacecraft Heat Shield . April 16, 2009 . March 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317173040/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2009/09-39AR.html . live .
  18. News: Coppinger . Rob . NASA Orion crew vehicle will use voice controls in Boeing 787-style Honeywell smart cockpit . . October 6, 2006 . October 6, 2006 . January 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123150/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nasa-orion-crew-vehicle-will-use-voice-controls-in-b-209724/ . live .
  19. Web site: Orion landings to be splashdowns – KSC buildings to be demolished. August 5, 2007. NASA SpaceFlight.com. August 5, 2007. June 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607173246/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2007/08/orion-landings-to-be-splashdowns-ksc-buildings-to-be-demolished/. live.
  20. Web site: NASA Denies Making Orion Water Landing Decision – and Deleting Touchdowns on Land. August 6, 2007. NASA Watch. November 23, 2010.
  21. Web site: NASA Announces Key Decision For Next Deep Space Transportation System . May 24, 2011 . . May 25, 2011 . September 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160915182112/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/may/HQ_11-164_MPCV_Decision.html . live .
  22. Web site: NASA Goes 'Green': Next Spacecraft to be Reusable – Orion Capsule. Space.com. June 13, 2013. November 30, 2014. December 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141204145412/http://www.space.com/21541-nasa-orion-spacecraft-reusable.html. live.
  23. Web site: S.A.M. Goes to Work Aboard ISS. Hill. Denise. 2019-07-23. NASA. 2019-07-31. November 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234201/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasas-spacecraft-atmosphere-monitor-goes-to-work-aboard-the-international-space-station/. live.
  24. Web site: US and Europe plan new spaceship . BBC News . May 5, 2011 . 2011-05-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110506062354/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13286238 . May 6, 2011 . live.
  25. Web site: ATV evolution studies look at exploration, debris removal . Spaceflight Now . June 21, 2012 . 2012-06-23 . February 6, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130206090340/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1206/21atvfuture/ . live .
  26. Web site: Airbus Defence and Space awarded two ATV evolution studies from ESA . Astrium . June 21, 2012 . 2012-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130403045627/http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press_centre/astrium-awarded-two-atv-evolution-studies-from-esa.html . April 3, 2013 . mdy-all .
  27. Web site: November 21, 2012 . Chris . Bergin . UK steps up, as ESA commit to ATV Service Module on NASA's Orion . NASASpaceFlight.com . 2014-07-15 . December 5, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121205023436/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/11/uk-steps-up-esa-commit-atv-service-module-orion/ . live .
  28. Web site: Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle – European Service Module for NASA's Orion programme. Airbus Defence and Space. March 7, 2016. March 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306195325/http://www.space-airbusds.com/en/programmes/mpcv-esm-v15.html. live.
  29. Web site: Zoller . Cody . December 1, 2015 . NASA to begin testing Orion's European Service Module . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080848/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/12/nasa-testing-orions-european-service-module/ . March 6, 2016 . March 7, 2016 . NASA SpaceFlight.
  30. https://orionesm.airbusdefenceandspace.com/blog/airbus-defence-and-space-wins-200-million-euros-esa-contract-for-second-service-module-for-nasas-orion-crewed-space-capsule/ Airbus Defence and Space wins 200 million euros ESA contract for second service module for NASA's Orion crewed space capsule
  31. Web site: Call for media: The European Service module meets Orion . European Space Agency . 26 October 2018 . February 6, 2020 . February 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200206225704/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion/Call_for_media_The_European_Service_Module_meets_Orion . live .
  32. Web site: Mission to the Moon: How We'll Go Back – and Stay This Time. popularmechanics.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20080203071538/http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/air_space/4212906.html?page=2. February 3, 2008. February 8, 2008. mdy-all.
  33. Web site: Meet Orion, NASA's New Deep Space Explorer. Mika McKinnon. 2014-12-04. Space.io9.com. 2016-10-31. November 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108222604/http://space.io9.com/meet-orion-nasas-new-deep-space-explorer-1663858997. live.
  34. Web site: Launch Abort System Jettison Motor | Aerojet Rocketdyne . Rocket.com . 2016-10-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125155546/http://www.rocket.com/launch-abort-system-jettison-motor . January 25, 2016 .
  35. Web site: ATK Awarded Contract for Orion Launch Abort Motors . PRNewswire . https://web.archive.org/web/20120301002036/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F07-10-2007%2F0004622662 . March 1, 2012 . mdy-all .
  36. Web site: Orion's New Launch Abort Motor Test Stand Ready for Action . NASA . January 5, 2012 . June 4, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110604223925/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/orion/H-08-137.html . live .
  37. Web site: Rhian . Jason . Jettison Motor Readied For Integration Into Orion's LAS . spaceflightinsider.com . Spaceflight Insider . July 1, 2019 . en . July 17, 2018 . The jettison motor separates the LAS from the Orion capsule on its way to orbit. . July 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190701231707/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/human-spaceflight/jettison-motor-readied-for-integration-into-orions-las/ . live .
  38. Web site: NextSTEP-2 Appendix H, Attachment F: Human Landing System to Orion Interface Requirements Document (HLS-IRD-005) . 30 Sep 2019 . NASA.
  39. News: NASA Unveils New Spaceship for Deep Space Exploration . Mike . Wall . . May 24, 2011 . May 24, 2011 . May 25, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110525184808/http://www.space.com/11765-nasa-deep-space-exploration-vehicle-announcement.html . live .
  40. 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 . NASA Technical Reports Server . 2060/20110014641.

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