Wed, Apr 18, 2012
Both On Display This Week At Udvar-Hazy Center
A full-scale test version of the Orion spacecraft is one of several NASA-sponsored exhibits that will appear alongside space shuttle Discovery at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, VA.
Discovery arrived at Dulles Tuesday. A transfer ceremony of the shuttle to the National Air & Space Museum will take place on Thursday, April 19.
In addition to Orion, dozens of NASA-sponsored exhibits are on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center to celebrate the arrival of Discovery and highlight the agency's current and future exploration missions. The exhibits will showcase the International Space Station, a solar telescope, a planetary spacesuit, an inflatable Mars Science Laboratory rover and many hands-on educational activities.
The Orion spacecraft will be on free display at the Udvar-Hazy Center from April 19-22 as part of the events surrounding the arrival of shuttle Discovery. Engineers, officials and NASA spokespeople will be on-site and available to speak with media and the public. The Orion test vehicle was used in the Pad Abort-1 Test in 2010, which saw the successful flight of Orion's launch abort system. This escape capability will protect future crews in the event of an emergency during launch.
NASA is constructing the first space-bound Orion capsule, which will launch on Exploration Flight Test-1, an uncrewed launch planned for 2014. This test will see Orion travel farther into space than any human spacecraft has gone in more than 40 years. After its construction at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, the spacecraft will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final assembly.
Following its display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Orion capsule will appear at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington for the U.S. Science and Engineering Festival from April 27-29. (Images provided by NASA)
More News
Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]
Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]
Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]