EM-3/Artemis 3 Orion Construction and Processing Updates

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasa_orion/status/1436382093404221453

Technicians at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility completed the welding on Orion's pressure vessel which will carry @NASA_Astronauts to the Moon on #Artemis III.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/next-generation-of-orion-spacecraft-in-production-for-future-artemis-missions

[Vahe231991]

Wow, construction of the Orion capsule for the Artemis III is starting to proceed faster than expected.

[lykos]

Orion is (for now) not the problem!

[eeergo]

Somehow    folks here have missed that the third Artemis CM, the one that purportedly will be carrying the first Moon landing crew in 50 years (not that I believe that), but at any rate will carry crew with certainty, has been delivered to KSC and announced on Friday:


https://twitter.com/NASA_Orion/status/1449024252867399681

This makes THREE (3) BEO spacecraft sharing the grounds simultaneously at their launch site. When CxP and then Artemis were drafted out, this milestone seemed science fiction. Now it's not even noted here.

[Vahe231991]

An important update on construction of the Orion service module for the Artemis III mission:
https://blogs.esa.int/orion/2022/01/26/2021-2022-overview-of-artemis-and-the-european-service-modules/

[Hog]

Somehow    folks here have missed that the third Artemis CM, the one that purportedly will be carrying the first Moon landing crew in 50 years (not that I believe that), but at any rate will carry crew with certainty, has been delivered to KSC and announced on Friday:




This makes THREE (3) BEO spacecraft sharing the grounds simultaneously at their launch site. When CxP and then Artemis were drafted out, this milestone seemed science fiction. Now it's not even noted here.

Orion MPCV  S/N-004 for Artemis-3, S/N-003 for Artemis-2 and S/N-002 for Artemis-1.  There's big investment sitting at MAF.

xxxxxx
It's not Space X enough.

[shintoo]

An important update on construction of the Orion service module for the Artemis III mission:
https://blogs.esa.int/orion/2022/01/26/2021-2022-overview-of-artemis-and-the-european-service-modules/

Great to see updates like this, even if missing detail. I remember a lack of updates on ESM2 progress for some time not long ago. Now, we at least have an idea on the statuses of ESM3 and ESM4.

Orion MPCV  S/N-004 for Artemis-3, S/N-003 for Artemis-2 and S/N-002 for Artemis-1.  There's big investment sitting at MAF.

xxxxxx
It's not Space X enough.

It will be interesting throughout the missions to see which pieces are the source of major delays, i.e. between CS, CM, ESM, EUS, etc. Other than the turnaround of Orion 1 flight components for Orion 2 affecting schedule, it seems that they are in good shape.

[Starshipdown]

This is the third Crew Module (CM) built, which brings up the question of reuse. Is the intention still to reuse CMs or do they plan on building a few more before committing to that?

[shintoo]

This is the third Crew Module (CM) built, which brings up the question of reuse. Is the intention still to reuse CMs or do they plan on building a few more before committing to that?

While that may have been the idea in days past, we likely won't see reused CMs before Artemis IX, if ever.

Sep 10, 2021 article: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/next-generation-of-orion-spacecraft-in-production-for-future-artemis-missions

The agency ordered three Orion spacecraft in 2019 for Artemis missions III through V, and plans to order three additional Orion capsules in fiscal year 2022 for Artemis missions VI through VIII.

These Orion orders happen through the Orion Production and Operations Contract, which allows for up to 12 orders through 2030. After that, I suspect either a new production contract will be made, or if we're lucky, reuse.
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-commits-to-long-term-artemis-missions-with-orion-production-contract

EDIT: Just because there is a production contract supplying Artemis missions, doesn't mean that those Orions will necessarily be brand new. Correcting this post as it seems evident now that the plan is to reuse Orions starting with Artemis VI: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/06/orion-status-update/

After returning the Artemis 3 crew to Earth, the current plan is to take the capsule, refurbish it, and fly it again on Artemis 6.

[hektor]

https://twitter.com/NASA_Orion/status/1496521275434491909?s=20&t=y9t6g30LWzoBHrdddoEASw

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasagroundsys/status/1582524153881509888

Today, Oct. 18th, 2022, at approx. 5:30 p.m. EDT, @NASA's Super Guppy aircraft landed at @NASAKennedy carrying the Artemis III @NASA_Orion spacecraft heat shield that will protect astronauts on the historic mission returning humanity to the surface of the Moon. #Artemis

[Vahe231991]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

[DanClemmensen]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

[russianhalo117]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

Gateway DAC for HLS calls for an Orion docking tunnel extension either built as a pyrotechnically jettisoned extension ring or an ASTP docking module like extension module extracted after stage separation. The tunnel extension is only required for clearance reasons at cetain ports. Presently however it is not planned before the first use of Gateway. HLS might require  docking system MMOD sheild cover on the lander like the MMOD shielding cover requirement for all vacant Gateway docking ports.

[DanClemmensen]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

Gateway DAC for HLS calls for an Orion docking tunnel extension either built as a pyrotechnically jettisoned extension ring or an ASTP docking module like extension module extracted after stage separation. The tunnel extension is only required for clearance reasons at cetain ports. Presently however it is not planned before the first use of Gateway. HLS might require  docking system MMOD sheild cover on the lander like the MMOD shielding cover requirement for all vacant Gateway docking ports.

DAC==Deployable Aperture Cover?
ASTP == module used for Apollo-Soyuz?
MMOD == meteoroid and orbital debris?

But both Orion and HLS are supposed to have IDSS-compatable ports. If they cannot dock to each other without an adaptor, then the IDSS spec has failed in one of its most fundamental goals.  If the Orion implementation is active-only, then at most the HLS port would need to implement both active and passive modes.

Will all ports used on all spacecraft need MMOD shields? I know Dragon 2 and Starliner have covers, but I thought those were added primarily for protection during EDL. Do the ISS ports have MMOD shields?

[russianhalo117]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

Gateway DAC for HLS calls for an Orion docking tunnel extension either built as a pyrotechnically jettisoned extension ring or an ASTP docking module like extension module extracted after stage separation. The tunnel extension is only required for clearance reasons at cetain ports. Presently however it is not planned before the first use of Gateway. HLS might require  docking system MMOD sheild cover on the lander like the MMOD shielding cover requirement for all vacant Gateway docking ports.

DAC==Deployable Aperture Cover?
ASTP == module used for Apollo-Soyuz?
MMOD == meteoroid and orbital debris?

But both Orion and HLS are supposed to have IDSS-compatable ports. If they cannot dock to each other without an adaptor, then the IDSS spec has failed in one of its most fundamental goals.  If the Orion implementation is active-only, then at most the HLS port would need to implement both active and passive modes.

Will all ports used on all spacecraft need MMOD shields? I know Dragon 2 and Starliner have covers, but I thought those were added primarily for protection during EDL. Do the ISS ports have MMOD shields?

Design analysis cycles
ASTP Docking Module (just a reference for similar method of its ride to orbit and a spacer like Mir's Stykovochnyy Otsek (SO) docking module (Rassvet being the converted copy)).
Micro Meteroid Orbital Debris.

The Orion tunnel extension/docking module like Mir's SO Module is only to structural clearance to mounted external hardware that might interfere with Orion docking to certain ports. Gateway is designed to have both active-passive, passive-passive  (radial) and active-active (axial) IDSS ports of their respective space agencies. The axial ports on each module must function in two modes active and passive. Radial ports on modules are to be passive and the VV's and delivered modules are to be active but can be relocated for passive to passive CBM-like berthing using the Canadarm-3.These are the current IDSS docking systems of ISS MCB members: JAXA is using MHI built JAXA Docking System (JDS). ESA is using QineticQ built International Berthing and Docking Mechanisms (IBDM). NASA is using the upcoming version of NASA Docking System (NDS). Roscosmos would if ever involved use their newest version of APAS (drogue configuration debuted on Prichal and Nauka and the hybrid 4 petal soft capture system with drogue for Nauka SrK module). All Nauka and Prichal ports use the IDSS compliant and legacy APAS pass through umbilical connectors and Hard Capture System. VV's can use IDSS certified private docking systems or the system of their respective space agency. The ACBM ports on ISS have MMOD petals protecting the mating surface when a VV is not present.

[Timber Micka]

I think there are renders showing Orion with the docking tunnel mod, which looks like a very short extension (minimal modification).

Just found one. Pic on the left on this Lockheed tweet. Right pic is old design

https://twitter.com/LMSpace/status/1575156643079274498

[DanClemmensen]

I think there are renders showing Orion with the docking tunnel mod, which looks like a very short extension (minimal modification).

Just found one. Pic on the left on this Lockheed tweet. Right pic is old design

https://twitter.com/LMSpace/status/1575156643079274498

I think you are looking at the "soft capture system" (SCS) portion of the "active" IDSS in its extended position. It's a normal part of the dock, not a modification.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Docking_System_Standard

[DanClemmensen]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

Gateway DAC for HLS calls for an Orion docking tunnel extension either built as a pyrotechnically jettisoned extension ring or an ASTP docking module like extension module extracted after stage separation. The tunnel extension is only required for clearance reasons at cetain ports. Presently however it is not planned before the first use of Gateway. HLS might require  docking system MMOD sheild cover on the lander like the MMOD shielding cover requirement for all vacant Gateway docking ports.

DAC==Deployable Aperture Cover?
ASTP == module used for Apollo-Soyuz?
MMOD == meteoroid and orbital debris?

But both Orion and HLS are supposed to have IDSS-compatable ports. If they cannot dock to each other without an adaptor, then the IDSS spec has failed in one of its most fundamental goals.  If the Orion implementation is active-only, then at most the HLS port would need to implement both active and passive modes.

Will all ports used on all spacecraft need MMOD shields? I know Dragon 2 and Starliner have covers, but I thought those were added primarily for protection during EDL. Do the ISS ports have MMOD shields?

Design analysis cycles
ASTP Docking Module (just a reference for similar method of its ride to orbit and a spacer like Mir's Stykovochnyy Otsek (SO) docking module (Rassvet being the converted copy)).
Micro Meteroid Orbital Debris.

The Orion tunnel extension/docking module like Mir's SO Module is only to structural clearance to mounted external hardware that might interfere with Orion docking to certain ports. Gateway is designed to have both active-passive, passive-passive  (radial) and active-active (axial) IDSS ports of their respective space agencies. The axial ports on each module must function in two modes active and passive. Radial ports on modules are to be passive and the VV's and delivered modules are to be active but can be relocated for passive to passive CBM-like berthing using the Canadarm-3.These are the current IDSS docking systems of ISS MCB members: JAXA is using MHI built JAXA Docking System (JDS). ESA is using QineticQ built International Berthing and Docking Mechanisms (IBDM). NASA is using the upcoming version of NASA Docking System (NDS). Roscosmos would if ever involved use their newest version of APAS (drogue configuration debuted on Prichal and Nauka and the hybrid 4 petal soft capture system with drogue for Nauka SrK module). All Nauka and Prichal ports use the IDSS compliant and legacy APAS pass through umbilical connectors and Hard Capture System. VV's can use IDSS certified private docking systems or the system of their respective space agency. The ACBM ports on ISS have MMOD petals protecting the mating surface when a VV is not present.

I assume Starship HLS will use an IDSS that it derives from the Crew Dragon. I think Crew Dragon is active-only. If Orion is active-only, then SpaceX will need to add passive mode capability. Do you know what the HLS Option A (and Option B) contracts stipulate for the dock?

[russianhalo117]

Since SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System will be used during all Artemis missions beginning with Artemis 3 to take crewmembers from the Orion module to the HLS, there could be photos waiting to be released that show engineers fabricating components for the compartment of the Artemis 3 Orion module allowing for astronauts to disembark the Orion spacecraft and enter the HLS lunar lander.

Do you mean the NDS docking port? I don't think it's a separate compartment. It's not a separate compartment on Crew Dragon or Starliner.

Gateway DAC for HLS calls for an Orion docking tunnel extension either built as a pyrotechnically jettisoned extension ring or an ASTP docking module like extension module extracted after stage separation. The tunnel extension is only required for clearance reasons at cetain ports. Presently however it is not planned before the first use of Gateway. HLS might require  docking system MMOD sheild cover on the lander like the MMOD shielding cover requirement for all vacant Gateway docking ports.

DAC==Deployable Aperture Cover?
ASTP == module used for Apollo-Soyuz?
MMOD == meteoroid and orbital debris?

But both Orion and HLS are supposed to have IDSS-compatable ports. If they cannot dock to each other without an adaptor, then the IDSS spec has failed in one of its most fundamental goals.  If the Orion implementation is active-only, then at most the HLS port would need to implement both active and passive modes.

Will all ports used on all spacecraft need MMOD shields? I know Dragon 2 and Starliner have covers, but I thought those were added primarily for protection during EDL. Do the ISS ports have MMOD shields?

Design analysis cycles
ASTP Docking Module (just a reference for similar method of its ride to orbit and a spacer like Mir's Stykovochnyy Otsek (SO) docking module (Rassvet being the converted copy)).
Micro Meteroid Orbital Debris.

The Orion tunnel extension/docking module like Mir's SO Module is only to structural clearance to mounted external hardware that might interfere with Orion docking to certain ports. Gateway is designed to have both active-passive, passive-passive  (radial) and active-active (axial) IDSS ports of their respective space agencies. The axial ports on each module must function in two modes active and passive. Radial ports on modules are to be passive and the VV's and delivered modules are to be active but can be relocated for passive to passive CBM-like berthing using the Canadarm-3.These are the current IDSS docking systems of ISS MCB members: JAXA is using MHI built JAXA Docking System (JDS). ESA is using QineticQ built International Berthing and Docking Mechanisms (IBDM). NASA is using the upcoming version of NASA Docking System (NDS). Roscosmos would if ever involved use their newest version of APAS (drogue configuration debuted on Prichal and Nauka and the hybrid 4 petal soft capture system with drogue for Nauka SrK module). All Nauka and Prichal ports use the IDSS compliant and legacy APAS pass through umbilical connectors and Hard Capture System. VV's can use IDSS certified private docking systems or the system of their respective space agency. The ACBM ports on ISS have MMOD petals protecting the mating surface when a VV is not present.

I assume Starship HLS will use an IDSS that it derives from the Crew Dragon. I think Crew Dragon is active-only. If Orion is active-only, then SpaceX will need to add passive mode capability. Do you know what the HLS Option A (and Option B) contracts stipulate for the dock?

It will use a heavier duty version with similar specifications to the upgraded APAS-89 version known as APAS-95 used by Shuttle on the ISS PMA's and the Mir SO Docking Module. The heavy duty specs and reasoning is explained in the IDSS documentation. All Gateway modules ports will use a heavy duty IDSS design.