NASA Clears Orion for Test Flight, Invites Public
On December 4th, NASA will launch the very first test flight of the long-anticipated Orion spacecraft. And they’ll be making it into a visitor-friendly event.
The Kennedy Space Center and the Visitor Center are going above and beyond to give the public a historical experience. If you are lucky enough to be out that way, you will get to witness the Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1, the test flight of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft. Kennedy Space Center will also provide expert commentary during the whole event. So you will know what’s going on and what it means.
EFT-1 featuring the Orion capsule aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as early as 7:05 a.m. The two-orbit, 4.5 hour mission culminates with a splashdown of the capsule in the Pacific Ocean.
“The FRR [Flight Readiness Review] is a rigorous assessment of the spacecraft, its systems, mission operations and support functions needed to successfully complete Orion’s first voyage to space,” NASA officials said in a statement.
The Orion craft is the latest development in the plan to send a manned mission to Mars. Built by Lockheed Martin, the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle was first announced by NASA on May 24, 2011. Its design is based on the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle from the cancelled Constellation program. Its first official mission is planned to be an unmanned lunar flyby in 2017.
I was alive for the first landing on the moon, although I was just a youngster; I don’t remember the moon landing. I do know that for many it was a defining moment in their lives and they remember where they were and what they were doing on that day. For many in the present generation of space travel enthusiasts, NASA is hoping the Orion experience will be similar.
“The Orion launch will be visible from many areas across the Space Coast, but there’s only one way to feel the rumble, experience the excitement and get up to date, minute-to-minute information from NASA TV, astronauts and space experts — and that’s at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. “This is your chance to be part of history in the making and tell your kids and grandkids you were here when we achieved our first steps toward Mars.”
Space shuttle astronauts Sam Durrance, Bruce McCandless, Mike McCulley, Jerry Ross and Winston Scott are among those scheduled to attend.
You have the opportunity to be a part of the beginning of the space program’s journey to Mars. The Orion Launch is supported with several events.
Displays and Exhibits
NASA, Mars and Orion interactive displays and models are located throughout the Visitor Complex, adding to the excitement of launch, offering guests additional opportunities to learn more about NASA and the significance of these first steps to eventually launch astronauts to Mars. Displays run from Dec. 2 through Dec. 4 and include:
- Exploration Systems Development exhibit featuring Mars, with interactive screens, high-resolution models and a photo op with a mock-up space suit, NASA
- Space Launch System presentation of five-segment rocket motor and Launch Abort System, with representatives available for questions, ATK
- Full-size RL10 upper stage engine and a RS-68 booster-stage engine model used for Delta IV Heavy Lift Rocket, Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Delta IV rocket and EFT-1 mission displays, United Launch Alliance
- Social media photo booth with 1⁄4 scale replica of Orion crew capsule; EFT-1 flight pattern and Orion heat shield displays, Lockheed Martin
- “I’m On Board” banner signing opportunity, NASA
- Space Launch System and Orion inflatable, NASA
- Commercial Crew Program, NASA
- Launch Services Program, NASA
- Technology Transfer, NASA
- Armstrong Visitor Center, NASA
- Mars Rover display, NASA
To follow the latest information on the Orion project, click here.
For more information, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.
[additional reporting by Jason Hunt]
