Artemis II's Orion Spacecraft to Undergo Critical Manual Handling Test

Artemis II's Orion Spacecraft to Undergo Critical Manual Handling Test
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 22, 2024
In an upcoming landmark mission, astronauts aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft will engage in a first-of-its-kind test drive during Artemis II, assessing manual control capabilities critical for future expeditions. A major segment of this mission involves the proximity operations demonstration, where astronauts will manually maneuver Orion in space, using the SLS rocket's upper stage as a reference point.

Brian Anderson, a key figure within the Orion Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center, highlights the demonstration's significance. It serves as a vital test to evaluate how Orion responds under astronaut control, distinguishing the nuanced differences between simulated ground tests and actual in-space behavior.

The demonstration, lasting about 70 minutes, will see the crew guiding Orion in relation to the ICPS (interim cryogenic propulsion stage), aiming to perfect rendezvous and docking techniques essential for subsequent missions. This includes intricate maneuvers and checks to assess Orion's handling near other spacecraft, facilitated by the European Service Module's thrusters.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, alongside CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will embark on this high Earth orbit journey, executing both automated and manual operations. This includes an automated backflip maneuver, allowing the crew to align with the docking target using onboard cameras, mimicking conditions they'll encounter in future missions to the Moon's surface and beyond.

While Artemis II doesn't include docking with another spacecraft, this exercise lays the groundwork for critical docking operations on Artemis III and subsequent missions to the Gateway lunar outpost. The manual handling test is not only a measure of Orion's performance but also serves as a rehearsal for navigating without GPS in lunar orbit, relying on visual cues from the Sun to illuminate targets.

Despite the inherent uncertainties of spaceflight tests, the primary goals remain evaluating Orion's deep space capabilities with a crew onboard and ensuring their safety. The Artemis II flight marks a significant step towards NASA's ambitious plans for lunar exploration, setting the stage for landing the next generation of astronauts on the Moon.