The crew capsule for NASA “Orion” is currently preparing for its next unmanned test flight in 2018 as part of a new generation of rocket Space Launch System (SLS). And when the astronauts finally find yourself on Board the “Orion”, NASA wants to be sure that they will receive the best management and software possible, so the Agency is currently conducting ground tests of Orion.
The first trial run of the systems display information on the “Orion” was held this month in the Rapid Prototyping Lab (RPL) in the NASA Space center. Johnson in Houston. There the engineers can design control systems that will use the astronauts to pilot the spacecraft. NASA is important to understand how the system display the “Orion” will work with ground control systems. This is important because Orion will send humans beyond the Earth’s vicinity.
Management of “Orion” should be optimized so that the astronauts could manage all elements of the spacecraft in real-time. This implies efficient control panel on the “Orion”. Space Shuttle in 2000 was more than physical switches, buttons and switches, but they were made in the 70-ies. With modern technology, NASA will be able to fit the control system “Orion” in the three dynamic display with the customized software.
The test, held a few weeks ago, was supposed to simulate “extreme failure” of the spacecraft and how it will be transmitted to the ground control station. Two “astronauts” managed an imaginary capsule “Orion” together with the team at mission control on earth. According to the scenario, electricity system “Orion” is denied, and the team is under threat without functional management. The team worked through the suggested fixes in various systems of a spacecraft returning to work and taking issues under control before someone imaginary astronauts will get imaginary harm.
NASA still has time to customize the onboard software. The next test flight in 2018 will send Orion unmanned trip to the moon and back. This mission also will be the first with the launch of Orion on the SLS rocket. The first manned mission is currently planned for 2021 or 2022 four astronauts will go into orbit around the moon. For the first time since the “Apollo” people will go so far away from Earth. However, given the vague plans of NASA to Mars may be delayed.