Space Launch System - Orion
Discussion
Jeremy Clarkson visited the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for a RS-25 test fire. He got a little wet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=96&...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=96&...
Spacecraft stage adapter finished, though first flight has now slipped to 2020
http://blogs.esa.int/orion/2018/02/15/orion-stage-...
http://blogs.esa.int/orion/2018/02/15/orion-stage-...
Construction of the first Orion for a manned flight has begun - to be launched in 4 - 5 years time ( if not cancelled before then )
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/lo...
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/lo...
Have they decided on the heat shield design? I presume they must have by now.
They used an Apollo style ablative shield on the 2014 EFT-1 test. They didn't really want to use an ablative shield but making a reusable heat sink shield that can cope with 25,000 mph entry speeds was proving difficult.
They used an Apollo style ablative shield on the 2014 EFT-1 test. They didn't really want to use an ablative shield but making a reusable heat sink shield that can cope with 25,000 mph entry speeds was proving difficult.
Still using Avcoat, but applied in blocks rather than injected into honeycomb Apollo style
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/orion-heat-shield-for...
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/orion-heat-shield-for...
Interesting.
They were obviously concerned about the man-hours (and cost) involved in the old Apollo era methodology of injecting the ablator material into individual honeycomb segments.
I presume it's therefore a one shot heatshield which will have to be replaced before each Orion flies again
They were obviously concerned about the man-hours (and cost) involved in the old Apollo era methodology of injecting the ablator material into individual honeycomb segments.
I presume it's therefore a one shot heatshield which will have to be replaced before each Orion flies again
Seems the umbilical tower has a bit of a lean on it
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/sls-ml-lea...
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/sls-ml-lea...
Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff