1 of 14
Stepping Into Orion Crew Module
Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford
NASA astronauts Cady Coleman and Ricky Arnold step into the Orion crew module hatch during a series of spacesuit check tests conducted on June 13, 2013 at the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Orion crew module will serve as both transport and a home to astronauts during future long-duration missions to an asteroid, Mars and other destinations throughout our solar system.
2 of 14
Orion Space Capsule
Credit: ESA–D. Ducros
NASA's Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts further into space than ever before using a module based on Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV). The image was released Jan. 17, 2013.
3 of 14
Proposal for MPCV-SM
Credit: ESA–D. Ducros
Proposal for a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle-Service Module (MPCV-SM). The image was released Nov. 21, 2012.
4 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Closeup
Credit: NASA
The ATV-derived service module, sitting directly below Orion’s crew capsule, will provide propulsion, power, thermal control, as well as supplying water and gas to the astronauts in the habitable module.
5 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Design
Credit: NASA
The first Orion mission will be an uncrewed lunar flyby in 2017, returning to Earth’s atmosphere at 11 km/s – the fastest reentry ever.
6 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Solar Array
Credit: NASA
NASA’s Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts further into space than ever before using a module based on Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV). ATV’s distinctive four-wing solar array is recognisable in this concept. The ATV-derived service module, sitting directly below Orion’s crew capsule, will provide propulsion, power, thermal control, as well as supplying water and gas to the astronauts in the habitable module.
7 of 14
Orion MPCV with Service Module
Credit: NASA
NASA’s Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts further into space than ever before using a module based on Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV).
8 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Above Clouds
Credit: NASA
The first Orion mission will be an uncrewed lunar flyby in 2017, returning to Earth’s atmosphere at 11 km/s – the fastest reentry ever.
9 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Solar Panels
Credit: NASA
The Solar Array on the Orion Space Capsule is recognisable in this concept.
10 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Side View
Credit: NASA
The rocket will launch astronauts into space on NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and serve as the go-to booster for U.S. missions to explore asteroids and, eventually, Mars.
11 of 14
Orion Space Capsule Rocket
Credit: NASA
The first test flight of the new rocket, which will be more powerful than NASA's mighty Saturn V moon rocket, is set for 2017.
12 of 14
Orion Space Capsule 4-Panel Solar Array
Credit: NASA
NASA is targeting its first unmanned Space Launch System flight for 2017, with the first manned Orion flight to follow four years later.
13 of 14
Orion Space Capsule in Orbit
Credit: NASA
The rocket will launch astronauts into space on NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and serve as the go-to booster for U.S. missions to explore asteroids and, eventually, Mars.
14 of 14
NASA’s Next Spaceship
Credit: NASA
NASA’s Orion spacecraft will carry astronauts further into space than ever before using a module based on Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV). ATV’s distinctive four-wing solar array is recognisable in this concept. The ATV-derived service module, sitting directly below Orion’s crew capsule, will provide propulsion, power, thermal control, as well as supplying water and gas to the astronauts in the habitable module.






























