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Orion Spacecraft

February 6, 2026

 

 

The Orion spacecraft is NASA's premier exploration vehicle designed to carry humans further into space than ever before. Specifically engineered for deep space travel, Orion serves as the centerpiece of the Artemis campaign, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and eventually send the first humans to Mars. The spacecraft is launched atop the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket currently in operation, providing the massive thrust required to exit Earth’s orbit and reach lunar distances.

Structurally, Orion is composed of three main parts: the Launch Abort System, the Crew Module, and the Service Module. The Crew Module is the only part of the spacecraft that returns to Earth, capable of housing up to four astronauts for missions lasting several weeks. It features advanced life support systems, glass-cockpit flight displays, and a state-of-the-art heat shield designed to withstand temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during atmospheric reentry. The European-built Service Module, located beneath the capsule, provides propulsion, electrical power, and essential supplies like water and oxygen.

The upcoming Artemis II mission will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft. During this mission, four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—will fly around the Moon and back to Earth. This mission is critical for testing the spacecraft's manual flight controls and ensuring that all life support systems function perfectly with humans on board. Unlike previous uncrewed tests, the Artemis II crew will take the controls to perform proximity operations, verifying the ship's maneuverability in deep space. Learn more at NASA.

 

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