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Orion Spacecraft

NASA is the space agency run by the United States to oversee American space exploration, research and technology. NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was founded in 1958 as a civilian agency for U.S. space exploration. Prior to 1958, the agency's progenitor was known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA develops, builds and launches missions to study the Earth, moon and sun, as well as the entire solar system and beyond. The agency has its headquarters in Washington D.C., with major centers in Florida (the Kennedy Space Center for launches) and Houston (the Johnson Space Center, home of the astronaut corps). Other centers are spread across the country for scientific research, test flights and spacecraft manufacturing. NASA's current chief is Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who is leading the agency's mission of returning astronauts to the moon and sending them on to Mars. See the latest NASA news.

Related Topics: Apollo Program, China Space Program, Incredible Space Tech, International Space Station, Interstellar Travel

Latest Updates

The Orion spacecraft's main rocket engine aced a propulsion system test on Aug. 5, 2019.

The Rocket Engine for NASA's New Orion Spacecraft Just Aced a Critical Test (Video)

By Chelsea Gohd

On Aug. 5, 2019, the Orion spacecraft's main engine successfully completed a critical propulsion test.

A test verision of Orion launches on NASA’s Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) flight test on a Northrop Grumman provided booster on July 2, 2019.

Take a Wild Ride on NASA's Orion Abort Test with This Stunning Video

By Elizabeth Howell

Wanna fly like Superman? With an incredible new camera view, you can get a rare mid-air perspective and watch a spacecraft streaking through the atmosphere.

NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson (lower left) and Stephanie Wilson (lower right) worked on board the International Space Station in April 2010.

Who Will Be the First Woman on the Moon?

By Chelsea Gohd

These are NASA's choices.

On the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Lockheed Martin-built Orion capsule for the Artemis 1 mission around the moon was declared finished.

The Orion Spacecraft for NASA's 2020 Trip Around the Moon Is Ready to Go (Photo)

By Mike Wall

Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement on Saturday (July 20).

NASA's massive mobile launcher headed to the launchpad for testing as the sun rose over Kennedy Space Center, as seen on June 27, 2019.

NASA's Mighty Moon Launcher Moves to Rocket Pad for Solo Testing

By Elizabeth Howell

NASA's lunar mobile launcher is one step closer to sending its first spacecraft to the moon.

The Orion crew module for the Artemis-1 (formerly EM-1) mission undergoing testing earlier this year. NASA expects to mate the crew and service modules later this month and ship the spacecraft to Plum Brook for thermal vacuum testing a couple months later.

Orion "On Track" to Support 2024 Human Lunar Landing after Abort Test

By Jeff Foust

The manager of NASA’s Orion program is optimistic the spacecraft will be ready to send humans to the moon in 2024 even as development schedules continue to slip.

The launch abort system on an uncrewed Orion capsule successfully propelled the spacecraft away from the rocket during a test NASA conducted on July 2, 2019.

After Own Failed Rocket Launch, Astronaut Gives Orion Safety Test Thumbs Up

By Meghan Bartels

For astronauts strapping themselves on top of a rocket, good safety systems aren't just nice to have — they can save lives, and they have.

NASA's Orion Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) test lifts off from Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on July 2, 2019. The test qualified the Launch Abort System (LAS) to be used to keep astronauts safe on Artemis launches to the moon.

NASA Abort Test Builds on Apollo Legacy to Keep Artemis Crews Safe

By Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA's efforts to return humans to the lunar surface took a short but critical leap forward in a test that evoked the last time the space agency shot for the moon.

NASA tested the launch abort system of the Orion capsule on July 2, 2019.

NASA's Orion Crew Capsule Aces Big Safety Test

By Mike Wall

Orion's launch-abort system did what it was supposed to do during a short test flight this morning (July 2).

On May 22, 2019, engineers move a test version of NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) flight test from the Launch Abort System Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Space Launch Complex 46 at neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. AA-2 is scheduled to take place on July 2.

Orion Capsule's Launch-Abort System: How It Works

By Stefano Coledan

A brief primer on the safety gear that will show its mettle during a flight test tomorrow (July 2).

A test version of NASA's Orion crew module for Ascent Abort-2, with its launch abort system attached, is hoisted by crane at Space Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 23, 2019.

NASA Launching Orion Capsule on Crucial Safety Test Tuesday: Watch Live

By Mike Wall

Orion's launch-abort system will get a workout tomorrow (July 2) at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), and you can watch the action live.

On May 22, 2019, engineers move a test version of NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) flight test from the Launch Abort System Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Space Launch Complex 46 at neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. AA-2 is scheduled to take place on July 2.

NASA Gearing Up for Big Test of Orion Crew Capsule Next Week

By Mike Wall

A critical component of NASA's next crew-carrying spacecraft will be put to the test early next week.

Artist's conception of a Space Launch System (SLS) launch.

Space Launch System: NASA's Next Generation Rocket

By Nola Taylor Redd

NASA's Space Launch System aims to carry humans far beyond Earth.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said at a town hall meeting April 1 that there "is nothing sacred here that is off the table" about how to achieve the goal of landing humans on the moon by 2024.

NASA Chief Says 'Nothing Off the Table' as Agency Develops New Moon Plan

By Jeff Foust

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said April 1 that he hopes to develop an initial plan within the next couple of weeks for getting astronauts to the surface of the moon by 2024.

Lockheed Martin embraced Vice President Pence's call to accelerate a human return to the moon, saying it could use technology it's developed for the Orion spacecraft for a lunar lander.

Mixed Reactions to NASA's Accelerated Moon Plan

By Jeff Foust

Shortly after Vice President Mike Pence directed NASA to return humans to the moon by 2024, reactions from space companies and organizations ranged from excitement to bewilderment.

The attitude control motor fires during a test at Northrop Grumman's facility in Elkton, Maryland.

NASA's Orion Capsule Emergency Abort System Checks Its Attitude in Test

By Doris Elin Salazar

The Orion crew capsule needs a backup plan if, during the start of a trip to the moon or to deep space, there's a launch malfunction.

Artist's illustration of NASA's Space Launch System megarocket launching the Orion crew capsule.

NASA Aims to Accelerate SLS Megarocket for 2024 Moon Push

By Sarah Lewin

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that speeding up production of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket is absolutely essential to getting humans to the moon by 2024.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence calls on NASA to return astronauts to the moon in five years, by 2024, during the fifth National Space Council meeting on March 26, 2019 held at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

US to Return Astronauts to the Moon by 2024, VP Pence Says

By Mike Wall

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called on NASA to return American astronauts to the moon by 2024 — just five years from now — during the National Space Council meeting on Tuesday (March 26).

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket launches NASA's Orion crew capsule on Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed mission to Earth orbit, on Dec. 5, 2014.

NASA's Orion Crew Capsule Has Flown on a Commercial Rocket Before (Video)

By Mike Wall

NASA wouldn't be breaking new ground if the agency did go with a private rocket for the upcoming test flight of its Orion crew capsule.

An artist's illustration of NASA's Space Launch System megarocket in flight.

Space Industry and Lawmakers Go to Defense of NASA's SLS Megarocket

By Jeff Foust