Test flight of NASA's new spacecraft "Orion" will be held in September 2014

Test flight of the new spacecraft "Orion" developed by NASA was decided to be held in September 2014.

NASA's Orion Space Capsule Gears Up for 2014 Launch Test | Space.com
http://www.space.com/18241-orion-nasa-spaceship-2014-test-flight.html

NASA develops a new spaceship since the development of the space shuttle in the 1970s. Originally "Orion"Crew · Exploration · Vehicle(CEV) "and was developed on the premise of personnel transportation to the International Space Station (ISS) and use for the next manned moon landing plan (constellation plan), but in 2010 President Obama Constellation plan was canceled by the asteroid, and now the development is continued with its use changed for manned exploration of asteroids and personnel and shipping and collection of cargo to ISS. Engineers are going to go to political trends, but it seems that they are pleased that the test flight is approaching. Mark Order's program manager Mark Geyer told Space.com in September "We believe that the test flight of 2014 will be massive, as people can see it, which is very important It is a goal. "


The Orion's heat-resistant shield is made of new material and designed to burn off when coming back to the Earth, so in a test flight called EFT 1, after two laps in the long elliptical orbit, it rushes into the atmosphere at high speed We are planning to check the ability of heat shield. In addition, it seems that more than half of the systems after completion of Orion will be tried with EFT 1, and the fundamental structure and testing of computer systems will be done at the same time.

EFT 1 is done unattended, Orion isDelta IVIt will be launched in heavy type. Although it seems to be a modern Apollo plan just like looking at "looking at a corn-type aircraft with a heavy rocket", Orion is a four-seater rider against the three-seater riders, from the moon and Mars It is also possible to carry an astronaut far away. In addition, Apollo was using state-of-the-art technology in the 1960's, but this is inferior to smartphones in current computer technology. Orion is the state-of-the-art science and technology of the 21st century, and many functions are completely new, including heat shield of new materials.


In 2017 NASA will be doing unmanned lunar survey using the new launch system "SLS" under development and plan to do a test flight with astronaut in 2021. NASA is currentlyLockheed MartinWhile finishing the Orion system with the company, the main part of the test machine's aircraft has been completed, but it seems that it will take six months to complete the heat shield. The Orion's computer is also being tested at the moment and the final assembly will be done at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.