Lockheed Martin-Built Orion Spacecraft is Ready for its Moon Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin has successfully completed assembly and testing of NASA's Orion spacecraft for its Artemis I mission to the Moon, officially transferring it to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems team. This spacecraft, designed for deep space exploration, will conduct a three-week uncrewed test mission to validate systems for future manned missions. The Artemis missions aim to explore the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. Additionally, contracts for multiple Orion spacecraft have been secured, solidifying Lockheed Martin's role in future lunar explorations.

Positive

• Successful completion of Orion spacecraft assembly and testing.
• Transfer of Orion spacecraft to NASA signifies project advancement.
• Contract secured for multiple Orion spacecraft (Artemis III-V) enhances future revenue potential.

Negative

• None.

DENVER, Jan. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Orion spacecraft is ready for its mission to the Moon. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed assembly and testing of the Orion Artemis I spacecraft and has transferred possession to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team today. Assembled at Kennedy Space Center, the EGS team will then perform final preparations on the spacecraft for its mission to the Moon later this year.

Ready for the Moon
Orion is NASA's new human-rated exploration-class spaceship that will take astronauts into deep space including the Moon and Mars. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for NASA and built the crew module, crew module adaptor and launch abort system. The European Space Agency provides the European Service Module for Orion.

The Artemis I mission will be the first launch of the Orion spacecraft aboard NASA's Space Launch System rocket. Over the course of three weeks, the uncrewed Orion capsule will fly out and orbit the Moon and return to Earth. This test mission will validate the spacecraft, rocket and ground systems for future crewed missions.

"Orion is a unique and impressive spacecraft and the team did an outstanding job to get us to this day," said Mike Hawes, Orion vice president and program manager for Lockheed Martin. "The launch and flight of Artemis I will be an impressive sight, but more importantly it will confirm Orion is ready to safely carry humans to the Moon and back home. This tremendous advancement opens the door to a new era of deep space exploration that will ultimately benefit us back here on Earth."

Orion is being transferred from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy, where it was assembled, to multiple Kennedy facilities where EGS will load propellants and other consumables such as ammonia, helium and nitrogen, and integrate the launch abort system and protective ogive fairing. After this is completed, it will be taken to the Vertical Assembly Facility to be lifted onto the SLS rocket and prepared for roll to the launch pad.

Crewed Missions Underway
The launch later this year will be the beginning of many Artemis missions to the Moon. The next mission, Artemis II, will be the first with a crew onboard and will go out to orbit the Moon and return. That Orion crew module and service module adapter are well under assembly at Kennedy and will see its first power-on of its integrated computers this summer.

Artemis III will see the first woman and the next man to walk on the Moon. Orion will carry them out to orbit the Moon where they will ultimately land on the surface using a lunar landing system. That spacecraft is already under construction as major structural elements of the crew module pressure vessel are arriving at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility.

As part of an Orion production and operations contract, NASA ordered three Orion spacecraft from Lockheed Martin for Artemis missions III-V with plans to order three additional Orion spacecraft for Artemis missions VI-VIII and options for up to 12 missions.

More information about Orion:
Lockheed Martin Orion page: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/orion
NASA Orion page: https://www.nasa.gov/orion

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-built-orion-spacecraft-is-ready-for-its-moon-mission-301208760.html

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

FAQ

What is the Artemis I mission for Lockheed Martin's Orion spacecraft?

The Artemis I mission will be the first uncrewed test launch of the Orion spacecraft to validate its systems for future crewed missions to the Moon.

When was the Orion spacecraft handed over to NASA?

Lockheed Martin completed the assembly and handed over the Orion spacecraft to NASA on January 14, 2021.

What are the future missions planned for the Orion spacecraft?

Future missions include Artemis II with a crew onboard and Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the Moon.

What role does Lockheed Martin play in the Artemis missions?

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for NASA's Orion spacecraft, responsible for the design and assembly of key components.

How many Orion spacecraft has NASA ordered from Lockheed Martin?

NASA has ordered three Orion spacecraft for Artemis missions III-V, with plans for additional spacecraft for missions VI-VIII.