Thats a Wrap! The last major assembly operation to prepare Orion for its first flight in December is complete. The ogive panels, which protect the crew module from sound and vibration during ascent, are now installed around the spacecraft just below the Launch Abort System tower. Orion will roll out to the launch pad early in November to be mated with the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle. Orion’s first uncrewed test flight will reach an altitude of 3,600 miles above the Earths surface. The two-orbit, four-hour flight test will help engineers evaluate the systems critical to crew safety and mission success including the heat shield, parachute system and key separation events.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:07:48 +0000
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