CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.,
May 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and NASA Orion team has successfully
proof-pressure tested the Orion spacecraft's Exploration Mission-1
(EM-1) crew module. The crew module is the living quarters for
astronauts and the backbone for many of Orion's systems such as
propulsion, avionics and parachutes.
In order to certify the structural integrity of the crew module
it was outfitted with approximately 850 instruments and subjected
to 1.25 times the maximum pressure the capsule is expected to
experience during its deep space missions. That means about 20
pounds per square inch of pressure was distributed over the entire
inner surface of the spacecraft trying to burst it from within. As
a next step, the team will use phased array technology to inspect
all of the spacecraft's welds in order to ensure there are no
defects.
Once the primary structure of the crew module has been verified,
the team will begin the installation of secondary structures such
as tubes, tanks and thrusters. Once those pieces are in place, the
crew module will be moved into the clean room and the propulsion
and environmental control and life support systems will be
installed.
"Our experience building and flying Exploration Flight Test-1
has allowed us to improve the build and test process for the EM-1
crew module," said Mike Hawes,
Lockheed Martin Orion vice president and program manager. "Across
the program we are establishing efficiencies that will decrease the
production time and cost of future Orion spacecraft."
During EM-1 Orion will be launched atop NASA's Space Launch
System (SLS) for the first time. The test flight will send Orion
into lunar distant retrograde orbit – a wide orbit around the moon
that is farther from Earth than any human-rated spacecraft has ever
traveled. The mission will last about three weeks and will certify
the design and safety of Orion and SLS for future human-rated
exploration missions.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
Media Contact:
Allison Rakes, +1
303-977-7135; Allison.m.rakes@lmco.com
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com/orion
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin