The rocket that will launch NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the Moon with the European Service Module on KSC Launch Pad 39B, USA, for its first full test before the Artemis I launch later this year.
The Space Launch Systems rocket (SLS) left the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at around 23:00 CET (22:00 GMT) on 17 March on the start of its 6.5 km trip to Launchpad LC39B.
In the preceding months the Orion spacecraft with European Service Module had been placed on top of the rocket. The first Artemis mission will send Orion to the Moon and back, farther than any human-rated spacecraft has travelled before. ESA’s European Service Module is the powerhouse that fuels and propels Orion, and provides everything needed to keep astronauts alive with water, oxygen, power and temperature control.
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Credits: ESA–S. Corvaja
Tags: KSC Kennedy Space Center Florida USA US
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Orion is NASA’s next spacecraft to send humans into space. It is designed to send astronauts farther into space than ever before, beyond the Moon to asteroids and even Mars.
ESA has designed and is overseeing the development of Orion’s service module, the part of the spacecraft that supplies air, electricity and propulsion. Much like a train engine pulls passenger carriages and supplies power, the European Service Module will take the Orion capsule to its destination and back.
The Orion spacecraft is built by NASA with ESA providing the service module. The arrangement stems from the international partnership for the International Space Station. NASA’s decision to cooperate with ESA on a critical element for the mission is a strong sign of trust and confidence in ESA’s capabilities.
More than 20 companies around Europe are now building the European Service Module as NASA works on Orion and the Space Launch System.
Learn more about Orion and Europe’s involvement here. Follow the latest updates via the Orion blog.
Credits: ESA–K. Oldenburg
Tags: Infographic Infographics Orion Orion Service Module esm European Service Module ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Spacecraft ExploreFather Explore Father Human Spaceflight Astronaut Astronauts
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First image of the complete Orion spacecraft that will fly around the Moon on the Artemis-1 mission.
At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, the full spacecraft with the European Service Module, Crew Module Adapater and Crew Module were unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing.
The first Orion spacecraft was unveiled in its entirety on 18 July at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. After assembling the European Service Module in Bremen, Germany, and the Crew Module Adapter and Crew Module in USA, the three elements of the spacecraft are now integrated into the full Orion that stands almost as high as a two-storey house.
Power and fluid lines were connected to complete the integration and the electrical systems were started up, with the Initial Power On taking place on 2 August. Engineers will now install a heatshield panel on the spacecraft and prepare it for a September ferry flight to NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio.
Testing will continue in Plum Brook to ensure the completed spacecraft can withstand the harsh environment of deep space.
Credits: NASA–R. Sinyak
Tags: ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Orion Orion Service Module NASA
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NASA’s Artemis I Orion spacecraft is being outfitted with additional artwork as technicians began installing the logo for ESA European Space Agency. ESA provided the European-built service module, which provides power and propulsion for the Orion spacecraft, and will also provide water and air for astronauts on future missions.
The NASA and ESA logos are in view on Orion's spacecraft adapter jettison fairing inside the MPPF at Kennedy Space Center.
Artemis I extends ESA and NASA’s strong international partnership beyond low-Earth orbit to lunar exploration with Orion on Artemis missions. The ESA logo joins the NASA “meatball” insignia on the Artemis I spacecraft adapter jettison fairing panels that protect the service module during launch.
Orion is currently stationed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where it will undergo fuelling and servicing by NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs Technology teams in preparation for the upcoming flight test with the Space Launch System rocket under the agency’s Artemis program.
Credits: NASA
Tags: Artemis I ESA European Space Agency MPPF Orion KSC Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Human Spaceflight Space exploration Astronaut Astronauts Lunar Exploration NASA
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The rocket that will launch NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the Moon with the European Service Module on its way to the launchpad in Florida, USA, for its first full test before the Artemis I launch later this year.
The Space Launch Systems rocket (SLS) left the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at around 23:00 CET (22:00 GMT) on 17 March on the start of its 6.5 km trip to Launchpad LC39B.
In the preceding months the Orion spacecraft with European Service Module had been placed on top of the rocket. The first Artemis mission will send Orion to the Moon and back, farther than any human-rated spacecraft has travelled before. ESA’s European Service Module is the powerhouse that fuels and propels Orion, and provides everything needed to keep astronauts alive with water, oxygen, power and temperature control.
Learn more
Credits: ESA–A. Conigli
Tags: ESA European Space Agency Space Universe Cosmos Space Science Science Space Technology Tech Technology Orion Artemis I Artemis ESM European Service Module Kennedy Space Center Florida USA Rollout Rocket SLS Space Launch System
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