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Navigating the Artemis II Mission: A Manual Flight Test for NASA’s Orion Spacecraft

During the upcoming Artemis II mission, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover will undertake a significant milestone in space exploration by manually piloting the Orion spacecraft for the first time. This crucial phase is part of a test known as the proximity operations demonstration, aimed at evaluating the spacecraft’s handling characteristics.

Artemis II marks the inaugural crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, where astronauts will have the chance to control the Orion spacecraft as it orbits the Moon and returns to Earth. This mission represents a vital opportunity to verify that Orion functions as intended when manned, setting the stage for future Artemis landings on the lunar surface.

The proximity operations demonstration will occur approximately three hours into the flight, once the crew—including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency—has entered space. This pivotal test will require the crew to maneuver Orion as it approaches and retracts from the upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

In performing the demonstration, the astronauts will utilize two distinct types of controllers: the rotational hand controller (RHC) and the translational hand controller (THC). Two RHCs, held in the right hand, allow the crew to rotate the spacecraft, effectively controlling its orientation. For adjusting Orion’s pitch, yaw, or roll, the astronauts will twist the RHC accordingly.

The THC, positioned adjacent to the display screens, facilitates movement of the spacecraft from one location to another. Astronauts can navigate Orion forward by pushing the controller in, while pulling it back results in reverse motion. The THC can also be maneuvered up, down, left, or right, enabling precise control in all directions.

When the crew inputs commands via these controllers, the spacecraft’s flight software, developed by Lockheed Martin, interprets their movements. This guidance, navigation, and control system is integral to ensuring smooth operations as Orion navigates the complexities of space.

Jeffrey Semrau, who serves as the manual controls flight software lead for the Artemis missions at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the mission’s significance: “We’re going to perform flight test objectives on Artemis II to get data on the handling qualities of the spacecraft and how well it maneuvers. This information will be vital in enhancing our control systems and ensuring successful future missions.”

Orion is equipped with 24 reaction control system thrusters located on its European-built service module. These thrusters can be activated based on the maneuvers commanded by the pilots, providing the necessary thrust for steering the spacecraft and facilitating controlled rotations.

Furthermore, the crew will have access to a cursor control device, which allows them to interact with the spacecraft’s three data display screens. This functionality is particularly crucial during phases of launch or re-entry, where intense gravitational forces may limit physical access to the touchscreen interfaces.

Beside the display screens, a switch interface panel provides additional controls, ensuring that the crew can operate Orion even in scenarios where primary displays or hand controllers fail. This redundancy is a critical feature to enhance the safety and reliability of the mission.

Victor Glover noted the training’s relevance, stating, “This flight test will simulate the flying that we would conduct if we were docking with another spacecraft like our lander or the Gateway lunar space station. Our aim is to confirm that Orion operates in alignment with our simulations, preparing us for more complex missions in the future.”

The Artemis II mission is expected to last around ten days and will test NASA’s essential capabilities for human deep space exploration. With astronauts on board, this mission will evaluate the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and related ground systems for the first time, paving the way for upcoming lunar surface expeditions.

Source
www.nasa.gov