Overview of the Constellation Program Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle

Paper number

IAC-08.B3.2.-D2.7.1

Author

Mr. Paul Marshall, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Mark Geyer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Mark Kirasich, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Cleon Lacefield, Lockheed Martin (Space Systems Company), United States

Coauthor

Mr. Laurence Price, Lockheed Martin (Space Systems Company), United States

Year

2008

Abstract

Purpose:  This paper describes the rationale behind the formulation of the Orion Project, including overview of key driving requirements, current architecture and design concept, formulation challenges and system trades, major technology challenges since project start, Orion flight test program, manufacturing and assembly planning, schedule overview and organizational and workforce structure.  The paper will also provide insight into unique aspects of the Orion acquisition strategy including elements strongly driven by overall agency transition from Shuttle operations.  

Methodology:  NASA has recently formed the Constellation Program to achieve the objectives of maintaining international crew presence in low Earth orbit, returning to the Moon for purposes of establishing an outpost, and exploring Mars and beyond in the first half of the 21st century.  Within Constellation, several projects have been defined to implement the various elements of the initial transportation architecture.  The Orion crew exploration vehicle Project was established two years ago to develop the spacecraft that will carry crew to the International Space Station no later than 2015 and to lunar orbit by 2020 supporting the defined missions.  The Orion spacecraft will be boosted into low earth orbit on the Ares-1 crew launch vehicle.  

Results:  Orion is now performing early design and systems development that will lead to the first flight test demonstration of the launch abort capability in late 2008.  Likewise, the Orion flight system design is progressing toward meeting the Preliminary Design Review milestone this year on an aggressive, yet robust path toward achieving the initial capability to support International Space Station operations in 2015.

Conclusions:  Orion is transitioning from formulation and concept design, into the preliminary design phase.  This paper proposes to share the challenges and excitement of the initial steps to establish the Constellation Program crew transportation infrastructure that will support the human exploration of space for decades to come.

Abstract document

IAC-08.B3.2.-D2.7.1.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B3.2.-D2.7.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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