Search Results for: ESM
Orion ESM begins hot fire testing at White Sands
The Orion European Service Module (ESM) Propulsion Qualification Module (PQM) is in the opening phases of testing – including hot firings – at the White Sands Test Facility…
NASA creates working group to get Orion ESM back on schedule
NASA is continuing to work towards the historic maiden launch of the Space Launch System (SLS), with the rocket still on schedule to make a 2018 debut. However, the…
Orion STA undergoing pre-mission testing in Denver
With all the structural test articles (STA) of the Orion spacecraft at prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems facility in the Denver area, work is underway to qualify…
Orion deep in processing for EM-1, planning for following missions
As US Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), one of the welcoming party, the Orion crew module, is fast taking shape ahead of its…
NASA preparing letter to Congress to explain EM-1 slip
As NASA’s Exploration Systems Development (ESD) prepares for the upcoming review of its plans for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), program management is preparing to formally notify Congress of the…
MAF in major push to bring SLS production back to full thrust
Impacted by significant disruptions in recent months, a wide range of assembly and production work for the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage nevertheless continues at the Michoud…
NASA will not put a crew on EM-1, cites cost – not safety – as main reason
In what is a highly welcomed, if not somewhat surprising decision, NASA has officially announced that they will not place a crew onboard the first SLS flight, the EM-1…
Investigating the potential of including a crew on the maiden flight of SLS
With NASA’s management officially informing the workforce that evaluations are taking place into installing a crew on to the first flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), the…
Software and Service Module cited as main critical paths to EM-1 launch date
A top level overview at NASA’s Advisory Council (NAC) has shown most of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft flows are on track for a 2018…
SLS critical flight paths refined for 2018 debut; thrust profiles updated
NASA’s Exploration Systems Development office has completed its review of progress to date as well as forward path activity on the development of the Space Launch System (SLS)…
ASAP concerned NASA is taking risks to meet Orion schedule
NASA’s key advisory body has warned the agency that schedule pressure, in combination with cost pressure, is causing compromises that carry additional risk. Focusing on the Orion spacecraft,…
EM-1 Orion pressure vessel arrives at KSC
One of the major milestones for Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1) was completed on Monday with the arrival of Orion’s Pressure Vessel at the launch site. The capsule hardware…
NASA to begin testing Orion’s European Service Module
NASA is nearly ready to begin testing of a core component of the Orion spacecraft. A structural test version of the European Service Module has arrived in the…
Road to EM-1: NASA outlines hardware milestones to SLS debut flight
With approximately three years to go before the inaugural flight of the Space Launch System rocket, NASA has developed the integrated mission milestone processing flow for the EM-1 flight. The flow, which…
SpaceX conducts test rollout for 39A Transporter/Erector
SpaceX has conducted a rollout of its giant Transporter/Erector strongback system at the Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A. The test rollout – from the company’s newly constructed Horizontal…
Plum Brook prepped for EM-1 Orion Service Module testing
Testing of Orion’s Service Module will be conducted at NASA Glenn’s Plum Brook Station this year in preparation for Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1). The Service Module is being…
SpaceX’s Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship ready for action
The mystery behind the “floating platform” – set to welcome home a returning Falcon 9 v1.1 first stage – has been solved via a series of fascinating comments…
CRS-5 Dragon ISS mission aiming for December 16 target
NASA has confirmed a December 16 placeholder for the Falcon 9 v1.1 launch of the CRS-5/SpX-5 Dragon mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This latest mission will…
Pad 39A – SpaceX laying the groundwork for Falcon Heavy debut
SpaceX has confirmed it is now into the construction phase of converting Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A for its Falcon Heavy debut, with a large amount of work…
European duo heading for fiery farewells
Two European spacecraft are currently enjoying their final moments high above the planet, as they continue their descent towards a fiery re-entry. ATV-4 – which recently undocked from…
