NASA has completed a series of tests of the Orion spacecraft, preparing it for the Artemis II mission. Engineers tested the crew module under conditions simulating an emergency launch when the space capsule must quickly separate from the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and ensure the safe return of astronauts.
These tests lasted 11 months at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Space Center. Neil Armstrong Space Center in Ohio. Engineers simulated maximum load scenarios, including exposure to extreme noise and electromagnetic effects from lightning strikes. The module was tested to ensure that the parachute system and airbags that protect the crew during landings were ready to operate.
“These are the heaviest loads a spacecraft can endure. We are deliberately pushing the space capsule to the limit to ensure the safety of the crew,” said Robert Overy, the test project manager. According to engineers, all Orion systems performed as expected and the data matched the predicted models.
For such tests, NASA back in 2011 built a unique Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility, which allows to test ships in conditions resembling real space missions. This was the first time that the vehicle was tested in such extreme conditions on Earth.
Lunar overflight during the Artemis II mission
The Artemis II mission, scheduled for April 2026, will be the first manned mission with a crew of four astronauts to circle the Moon and return to Earth. The previous Artemis I mission in 2022 ended successfully and performed well. At that time, the unmanned Orion successfully overcame the 2 million-kilometer journey, although there were questions about the operation of the heat shield.
The Artemis II mission is paving the way for the Artemis III human lunar landing scheduled for mid-2027. The program faces numerous challenges: delays, problems with the SLS rocket and the space capsule’s heat shield, and budget overruns. However, tests have proven that Orion will withstand any loads and safely deliver the crew to Earth.
We previously posted about the secrets hidden inside Orion.
Provided by Gizmodo
