Tag: TPS
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Safety first: Ten years since STS-114’s return to flight misssion
Ten years ago today, the Space Shuttle Discovery left the Kennedy Space Center on STS-114. The flight, filled with hopes, aspirations, and emotions, marked the first step in returning the Shuttle to flight following the loss of Columbia and marked the beginning of a new journey and vision for NASA. But getting to launch day for STS-114 was a difficult…
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EFT-1 Orion inspections provide vital MMOD information
A forensic level investigation into the condition of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) on the Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) Orion has evaluated the level of MicroMeteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) damage on the vehicle. Orion’s MMOD impacts were evaluated by the Hypervelocity Impact Technology (HVIT) Group, showing the vehicle suffered more MMOD damage than the computation…
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EFT-1 Orion set for Christmas return to Florida
Following the 20,000+ mph return of the Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) Orion last week, the spacecraft is enjoying a more leisurely series of transits. After completing the ride back to port in the belly of the USS Anchorage, Orion is taking a cross-country road trip that should result in her returning to the Kennedy Space Center…
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EFT-1 Orion completes outfitting, ready for fueling
NASA’s first space-worthy Orion spacecraft is preparing for her next key milestone in the flow towards December’s Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) mission. The completed Orion, now stacked on the Service Module, will be moved from her home in the Operations & Checkout (O&C) building this week, ahead of fueling operations. EFT-1 Orion: It’s been…
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EFT-1 Orion’s heat shield installed ahead of key flight test
The huge heat shield that will protect the first Orion’s return from space has been installed on to the spacecraft. Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-) – set to launch at the end of this year – will provide an array of data on how the vehicle and heat shield perform during the speedy entry, which…
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Heat Shield for EFT-1 Orion arrives at KSC
The processing flow is heating up for the first Orion set to launch into space, as key elements of the Exploration Flight Test -1 (EFT-1) mission arrive for integration at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). With the inert Launch Abort System (LAS) now pieced together, Wednesday saw the arrival of Orion’s Heat Shield, flown in…
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SLS Program pressing forward with engine heat shield design change
The Space Launch System (SLS) heat shields around its RS-25 engines will not follow the heritage of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP), following a decision to move away from the “eyelid and dome” style design. Instead, SLS will have a lighter flexible blanket installed, similar to that used on other vehicles and on the aft…
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Orion’s development achieving numerous successes and firsts
This year is already marking a significant ramp up in achievements for the Orion Program, as several test articles are put through their paces – ranging from testing at Lockheed Martin’s Denver facility, to the successful parachute test in Arizona – all at the same time as the Exploration Flight Test (EFT-1) Orion sees the…
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NASA reviews TPS nose cap damage to STS-135/Atlantis
With the Space Shuttle Program now officially a part of NASA’s past, the agency is continuing the process of getting Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour ready for their display at museums around the United States. However, following STS-135, NASA did conduct one official post-flight review – an investigation into RCC nose cap/chin strap damage to orbiter…
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STS-135: Atlantis cleared to head home one final time on Thursday
Following the expected clearance of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) – which was re-checked during Late Inspections, along with the successful checkouts of the systems the orbiter will use to carry her crew back to Earth – Atlantis is in the final hours of orbiting the planet, ahead of an expected early morning landing at…