All you need to know about NASA's spacecraft Orion and it's mission

The US space agency's Orion space capsule blasted off from earth on Friday on its first journey into orbit, in a key test flight before carrying people to deep space destinations like the Moon and Mars in the coming years. Here's what you need to know about the Orion mission.

About Orion

It has been more than a generation that NASA has built a spacecraft to transport astronauts into space. The last time humans ventured into space beyond Low-Earth's orbit (an orbit around the earth) was the landing on the moon. Apollo 11 was the space flight that landed humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The Orion spacecraft is built to satisfy our curious need for deep space exploration. It's destination includes near earth asteroids, Earth's moon, the moons of Mars and eventually Mars itself. 

Orion is touted to be the safest and most advanced spacecraft to ever have been built. It is flexible and capable enough to take humans to a variety of destinations including landing on an asteroid, and into interstellar space. Low Earth Orbit is where the International Space Station (ISS) currently flies.It is where the Hubble telescope, communication satellites, spy satellites and earth observing satellite also currently fly.

Source: NASA's official channel on youtube.com

Space exploration capabilities

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) provides never before seen or experienced human space exploration capability. Orion is also capable of transporting crew and cargo to the ISS. Orion can remain docked at the ISS for upto six months. It also has the ability to stay in orbit around the moon, unattended without an astronaut on board for the duration of a lunar surface visit that could last up to half an Earth year. 

Also Read: Nasa successfully launches Orion spacecraft; first step towards human expedition to Mars

Image Source: Reuters

Features

Orion consists of a conical capsule, a service module and a space craft adaptor. Other components include a space launch abort system and for extended inter planetary travel a deep space habitat. Orion features dozens of new technological advancements and innovations, many of which were derived form experience with the space shuttle programme. Since Orion plans to take astronauts to destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, astronauts will travel outside the protective shield of the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field. NASA has had to develop methods of protection from significantly stronger radiation that astronauts have experienced in the past.

The heat shield

Orion's heat shield is an extremely important component of the space craft for the safety of the astronauts' return to earth. Its capsule shape allows it to land in water like the Apollo missions did when they returned to earth. A capsule without wings makes it easier to provide heat protection during re-entry.

Also Read: NASA's Orion spaceship successfully completes debut test flight around Earth

Orion's final mission

After the December 2014 test flight, an unmanned Orion will circle the moon by 2017 and the first manned mission by 2021. Landing on an asteroid could take place during the late 2020s and a landing on Mars by the 2030s. The success of landing on an asteroid is the most important mission, as it will determine the possiple success of landing on Mars.

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Source: Youtube.com (revoeciov - Carol Meier)