Orion deep in processing for EM-1, planning for following missions

[Chris Bergin]

A big round up and status feature article by Philip Sloss after he interviewed an Orion manager. A lot of info in this one:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/07/orion-processing-em-1-planning-missions/

[Rocket Science]

Nice "beefy" article Philip, thank you!

[okan170]

Are they still planning on the "evaluate preforming LOI if vehicle checks out" part of the EM-2 plan?

[psloss]

Are they still planning on the "evaluate preforming LOI if vehicle checks out" part of the EM-2 plan?

I don't believe that's in the current baseline.  The Item 6 notes in the attached are somewhat related.

We'll keep trying out questions on trajectory details as the opportunity arises.  (Still looking for the right people who can talk about the different trades.)

And this plan is probably subject to change.  Well, to another change.

[psloss]

Tangential reference to the MTLI profile in Anatoly Zak's story about the proposed/studied DSG; thread here, with story link:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43307.0

The story references this update:
http://russianspaceweb.com/imp-ppb.html#2017

Excerpt:

That switch apparently put pressure on engineers to reduce the module's mass from more than eight tons to as little as 6.5 tons, probably because the EM-2 was designed to fly a less efficient but safer profile required by the first manned launch of the Orion crew vehicle.

[whitelancer64]

The first pressure vessel article built was a Ground Test Article that was used for testing at different facilities.

“It was at 31 welded parts and 3900 pounds.  That was kind of the first attempt at the primary structure,” Kearney added.

“For Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), we had eighteen welded parts [that weighed] about 3300 pounds.  With Exploration Mission-1, we’re down to seven welded parts and 2700 pounds,” Kearney noted.

That's really impressive to me.

[_INTER_]

Are there any more concrete / official information on who's going to develop those gateway structures? Wouldn't they have to soon start designing those?

[Jim]

Are there any more concrete / official information on who's going to develop those gateway structures? Wouldn't they have to soon start designing those?

Have to come up with requirements and study contracts first

[TaurusLittrow]

Radiation exposure to the EM-2 crew? Can't be trivial given a 24-hour elliptical(?) HEO and transits through van Allen belts post-TLI and pre-entry.

[Grandpa to Two]

Philip this is a really great update that included quite a lot of information I wasn't aware of specifically I was pleased on your information on the new ablative covering for high speed re-entry and how it's applied. Thanks for your well written article!

[BrightLight]

From:
GAO-18-28, NASA HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION: Integration ...
https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/687842.pdf
Dated October 2017

"In April 2017, we found that it was unlikely that the ESD programs would achieve the planned November 2018 launch readiness date and recommended that NASA reassess the date. NASA agreed with this recommendation and stated that it would establish a new launch readiness date in fall 2017. Subsequently, in June 2017, NASA sent notification to Congress that EM-1’s recommended launch date would be no earlier than October 2019."

[watermod]

Does the service module use hydrazine?

If so how does this effect it's testing and use?

http://spacenews.com/hydrazine-ban-could-cost-europes-space-industry-billions/?utm_content=buffer66078&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
{EU bans hydrazine}

[Overflow]

For Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), we had eighteen welded parts [that weighed] about 3300 pounds.  With Exploration Mission-1, we’re down to seven welded parts and 2700 pounds

Down 500 pounds and eleven welded parts! Good job KSC.

[ncb1397]

Does the service module use hydrazine?

If so how does this effect it's testing and use?

http://spacenews.com/hydrazine-ban-could-cost-europes-space-industry-billions/?utm_content=buffer66078&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
{EU bans hydrazine}

Probably no effect because fueling is done in US. The propulsion test article firing is done in US as well.