Orion's First Flight

NASA Marshall, North Alabama Companies Play Big Part in Orion's First Flight

On Dec. 4, the Orion spacecraft will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket for a trip that will take it 3,600 miles above Earth's surface -- a historic journey that also will take with it the hearts and hard work of people right here in the Tennessee Valley.

During Orion's uncrewed test flight, several key systems will be tested: abort systems integration; computer and guidance systems designed to sustain a crew during space travel; and the heat shield and other critical landing systems that provide safe return to Earth. Flight data will influence future design decisions, validate existing computer models and innovative new approaches to space systems development, as well as reduce overall mission risks and costs.

Teams at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have provided critical support ahead of Orion's first flight. Marshall has fabricated almost 1,000 pieces of Orion flight and ground test hardware; conducted structural testing of the service module and crew module elements; and managed oversight of the launch abort system propulsion elements.

"Marshall and all of North Alabama should be very proud of the contributions that we have made to this mission, especially the complex launch abort system designed to enhance crew safety," said Larry Gagliano, Marshall’s deputy project manager for the Orion Launch Abort System. "A tremendous amount of effort from many folks in the area have helped ensure NASA’s deep space missions will be successful."

The launch abort system, positioned atop the crew module, is designed to activate within milliseconds on future missions to propel the crew module to safety in the event of an emergency during launch or climb to orbit.

The Orion fabrication and testing work at Marshall was a collaborative effort under a Space Act Agreement with Orion prime contractor Lockheed Martin. Several Huntsville-area companies also provided flight hardware and ground support equipment, including Arcata Associates Inc., InfoPro Corporation, Teledyne Brown Engineering and General Products.

"We are thrilled to be working with NASA and the various contractor teams in preparation for this major milestone for Orion," said Terry Abel, project manager at Lockheed Martin. "We look forward to a successful launch and reviewing the flight test data that will benefit future missions."

The stage adapter that will connect the Orion to the Delta IV Heavy for the flight was designed, built and tested at Marshall. Marshall also conducted pressurized testing for the adapter diaphragm -- which will keep gases away from the spacecraft.

"Our expertise was especially critical in building the adapter technology to connect Orion to the launch vehicle and in developing propulsion elements of the launch abort system," said Chris Singer, director of Marshall's Engineering Directorate.

Orion will be integrated with a Delta IV Heavy, a rocket built and operated by United Launch Alliance in nearby Decatur, Alabama. In early October, ULA engineers, technicians and representatives from safety, quality, security and other groups also ensured that the launch vehicle arrived safely at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 37 ahead of the December launch.

"ULA is honored to have manufactured the Delta IV Heavy rocket that will launch Orion on its flight test," said Craig Langford, ULA vice president of Production Operations. "We understand the importance of this ground breaking mission for our customer and the insights it will offer for the future of human spaceflight."

Orion's flight test will provide engineers with important data about the adapter's performance and prepare Orion for future destinations aboard NASA's Space Launch System. When completed, SLS will be the most powerful rocket ever built for deep space missions, including to an asteroid and ultimately Mars. Marshall manages the SLS Program for the agency.