SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed
Martin (NYSE:LMT) engineers have successfully completed testing of
design changes made to the NASA Orion spacecraft's fairing
separation system. These changes resulted from data collected
during Orion's first test flight on Dec. 5,
2014.
Watch one of the tests in the series here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bErA_UhLjKg
A finished Orion spacecraft has three fairings, or panels, that
protect the service module radiators and solar arrays from heat,
wind and acoustics during ascent into space. For the purposes of
collecting data during these tests, only one fairing was
separated.
The separation took about three seconds and the design changes
tested were:
- New push-off springs that push on the fairing for a longer
period of time to provide increased safety and reliability.
- As part of an ongoing mass reduction effort, the team used four
crew module structural attachments instead of six.
- Star trackers, or cameras that provide positioning from the
stars, are used for navigation on the spacecraft. The fairing
separation system pulls off the star tracker covers which prevent
contamination before launch, and this process was tested for the
first time.
In addition, these tests evaluated different pyrotechnic
variances and higher load cases in order to prepare for Exploration
Mission-1, when Orion is launched on NASA's new Space Launch System
rocket. The team was also able to collect shock data, which will be
provided to the European Space Agency (ESA) to support their work
designing, building and testing the service module. In fact, these
same fairings will be used for service module acoustics and vibe
testing taking place at NASA's Plum Brook facility in Ohio later this year.
"The fairing separation is one of our very first critical
events," said Mike Hawes, Lockheed
Martin Orion vice president and program manager. "If it doesn't
work as planned, it's probable the mission cannot continue, and
tests like this help ensure it will work right the first time and
every time."
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com/orion.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Media Contact:
Allison Rakes, +1 240-364-4367;
Allison.m.rakes@lmco.com
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150729/249585
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-successfully-tests-design-changes-for-orion-spacecrafts-fairing-separation-system-300121167.html
SOURCE Lockheed Martin