Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov/j.d.harrington@nasa.gov
Amy Johnson
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-7022/272-9859 (mobile)
amy.johnson@nasa.gov
Josh Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
josh.byerly@nasa.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-002
MEDIA INVITED TO FINAL ORION SPACECRAFT WATER LANDING TEST
HAMPTON, Va. -- The final water landing test of the Orion crew capsule
has been re-scheduled for Friday, Jan. 6, at NASA's Langley Research
Center's Hydro Impact Basin in Hampton, Va. The test was originally
scheduled to take place Thursday, Jan. 5, but a combination of wind
and cold weather conditions prohibited pre-test operations atop the
gantry.
The test will simulate deployment of all parachutes at a high impact
pitch of 43 degrees. The capsule will travel approximately 47 mph
before splashing into the basin, where it will likely flip over after
impact. While this type of landing scenario is not likely to occur
during actual vehicle operation, the test will validate models of how
the spacecraft would respond. Like the Apollo spacecraft, Orion will
have an on-board system that allows the spacecraft to up-right itself
in the ocean.
The Hydro Impact Basin is 115 feet long, 90 feet wide and 20 feet
deep. It is located at the west end of Langley's historic Landing and
Impact Research Facility, or Gantry, where Apollo astronauts trained
for moonwalks.
Media representatives must arrive by 1 p.m. EST at the NASA Langley
main gate. Due to the nature of the testing, an exact drop time
cannot be given. If the drop test date changes due to weather or
technical reasons, NASA will issue a media advisory.
To ensure access and badging, reporters must contact Amy Johnson by
phone at 757-272-9859 or by email at amy.johnson@nasa.gov by 4 p.m.
on Thursday, Jan. 5.
For video and still imagery that documents ground breaking of the
Hydro Impact Basin through various stages of Orion testing, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/exploration/hib.html For more information about Orion, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/orion
