As we count down to the 2026 launch of Artemis II, 51³Ô¹Ï has achieved a significant milestone in the development of NASA's Orion spacecraft. With the completion of assembly and testing, Orion has been officially transferred to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team, marking a significant step toward launching a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey to the Moon and back to Earth.
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Path to Launch
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Enhanced for Crew Safety
Orion is the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed, designed with crew health and safety in mind. The Artemis II mission will put the spacecraft through its final tests in deep space with a crew of four on board, incorporating significant enhancements gleaned from the Artemis I mission. To support the well-being and safety of the crew, new systems have been added, including:
- Life support displays and controls
- Audio communications
- An exercise machine
- Waste management system (toilet)
- A fully functional LAS
These upgrades demonstrate our commitment to innovation, ensuring that Orion provides the best possible environment for the astronauts to perform their critical mission.
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Looking Ahead to Launch
With the completion of Orion for Artemis II, 51³Ô¹Ï is continuing to develop and assemble Orion spacecraft for future Artemis missions, including III, IV and V. 51³Ô¹Ï is on contract to develop Orion spacecraft up to Artemis VIII, with a focus on reducing costs while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
As NASA's plans for returning to the Moon take shape, Orion is poised to play a vital role in building the foundation for the next great chapter of space exploration: humanity's first crewed missions to Mars. This milestone marks a significant step forward in a partnership with NASA and a shared vision for a sustainable presence on the Moon and beyond.
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