description Orion spacecraft Overview
The Orion spacecraft is a deep-space crewed capsule developed by NASA to facilitate human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. It is constructed as the primary crew vehicle for the Artemis program, specifically designed to transport astronauts to lunar orbit and back. The spacecraft consists of a crew module built by Lockheed Martin and a European Service Module provided by the European Space Agency. It completed its first uncrewed test flight around the Moon during the Artemis I mission in 2022.
help Orion spacecraft FAQ
What role does Orion play in NASA's Artemis missions?
Orion carries astronauts between Earth and the vicinity of the Moon, while other systems handle lunar landing and surface operations. It launches on NASA's Space Launch System and consists of a crew module plus a European-built service module.
Has the Orion spacecraft flown around the Moon?
Yes. An uncrewed Orion flew around the Moon during Artemis I in 2022 and returned to Earth after traveling far beyond low Earth orbit.
How many astronauts can Orion carry?
Orion is designed to support a crew of four on lunar missions. This is fewer than the Space Shuttle's typical crew capacity because Orion is a compact deep-space capsule rather than a winged orbital vehicle.
Why does Orion use a European Service Module?
The European Space Agency supplies the service module, with Airbus as the prime contractor. It provides propulsion, electrical power, water, oxygen, and thermal control until the module separates before reentry.
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