Orion crew module testing. Functional testing of the crew module of the Orion spacecraft in preparation for the Pad Abort-1 launch abort system flight

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Orion crew module testing. Functional testing of the crew module of the Orion spacecraft in preparation for the Pad Abort-1 launch abort system flight test in 2010. This test is being conducted at the US Army's White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico, USA. The crew module is at left. The Orion flight test vehicle interface van is at right. During the test, the interface van was connected directly to the crew module. Developed by NASA, with a test flight taking place in 2014, the first Orion crewed launches are scheduled for around 2023. The Orion spacecraft are intended for use in Earth orbit, and for human exploration of the Moon, the asteroids and of Mars. Photographed on 24 September 2009.

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Size: 5134px × 3423px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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