Tag: EM-1
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Software and Service Module cited as main critical paths to EM-1 launch date
A top level overview at NASA’s Advisory Council (NAC) has shown most of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft flows are on track for a 2018 launch of Exploration Mission -1 (EM-1). However, engineers are continuing to battle against critical path issues with the European Service Module and flight software. Path to EM-1:…
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Orbital ATK reviews SRB plans and competitiveness for SLS EM-1 and beyond
With booster casting operations for SLS’s EM-1 mission well underway at Orbital ATK’s manufacturing facility in Utah, the company is looking ahead in terms of how the boosters’ flight data will be transmitted to ground stations during flight. Moreso, the company is looking beyond EM-1 to the build operations for the EM-2 flight boosters as…
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SLS ML revamp after EM-1 included Europa mission considerations
With work continuing on a lengthy project to convert the Mobile Launcher (ML) for use with the Space Launch System (SLS), a NASA manager has spoken about the challenges of preparing the huge structure for the rocket’s undefined manifest. The hope of SLS involvement with a mission to Europa included considerations for a second ML.…
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MAF Roadmap: Preparing the SLS first core stages for testing and flight
The Structural Test Articles (STA) that will make up the first core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is in the final phase of construction at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. Focus is now switching to the welds on the core that will create the first flight core that will launch…
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Orion’s heat shield arrives at Kennedy for EM-1 mission preparations
Lockheed Martin has delivered the Orion crew vehicle’s heat shield for the upcoming EM-1 test flight to the Kennedy Space Center from its manufacturing facility in Denver, Colorado. The heat shield, upgraded from data received after Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) in 2014, will help protect Orion from the harsh environment of reentry at speeds…
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SLS Program working overtime to make 2018 debut
Exploration Systems Development (ESD) Deputy Associate Administrator Bill Hill explained plans to mitigate flow concerns – such as recent adjustments to the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage delivery schedule – to keep the program on a path to launch Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) in late 2018. Mitigation may include extra shifts to find margin in…
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SLS critical flight paths refined for 2018 debut; thrust profiles updated
NASA’s Exploration Systems Development office has completed its review of progress to date as well as forward path activity on the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the NASA Advisory Council. While several tasks and issues remain open, SLS continues a steady march toward its planned debut in late 2018 during the…
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NASA Lunar Imaging CubeSat – SkyFire – to ride with EM-1
NASA’s aim to provide a ride to numerous secondary payloads on the debut mission for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion has resulted in Lockheed Martin signing a contract with NASA to deploy the SkyFire lunar flyby mission. The 6U CubeSat will join a team of 13 small spacecraft that will ride uphill on the…
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SLS Mission Trajectory – Mike Sarafin outlines the ride uphill for EM-1
NASA managers are closing in on a mission trajectory plan for the new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that is set to debut in 2018. Mike Sarafin, NASA’s mission manager for the first Orion/Space Launch System (SLS) mission, recently provided an early look at an outline of launch events and a high-level status of the process…
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Orion capsule put under pressure in Florida
Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians prepare the Orion pressure vessel for a series of tests inside the proof pressure cell in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This capsule will fly on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett The skeleton of NASA’s next Orion capsule,…