Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Drawing from more than 50 years of space flight research and
development, the Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is designed
to meet the evolving needs of our nation's beyond low Earth orbit
space exploration program for decades to come.
The MPCV features dozens of technology advancements and innovations
that have been incorporated into the spacecraft's subsystem
and component design. The MPCV spacecraft includes both crew
and service modules, a spacecraft adaptor, and a revolutionary
launch abort system that will signifcantly increase crew safety.
The MPCV's unique life support, propulsion, thermal protection
and avionics systems in combination with other deep space elements
will enable extended duration deep space missions. These systems
have been developed to facilitate integration of new technical
innovations as they become available in the future.
The MPCV is capable of transporting astronauts on a variety
of expeditions beyond low Earth orbit – ushering in a new era
of space exploration. |
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Development
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The
past 18 months of development have yielded phenomenal accomplishments
by the NASA-industry team. The flawless fight test of the
launch abort system - one of only four ever developed and
own in the world - was a signifcant achievement. The advanced
technologies developed for this system enable state- of-the-art
crew survivability in the event an emergency occurs during
launch or ascent to orbit. In addition, the team fabricated
the world’s largest heat shield structure, demonstrated an
inventive new navigation and docking system, validated Orion’s
assembly and production operations, completed the first space flight
worthy Orion crew module, and made signifcant progress on
Orion’s thermal protection and software systems. All of this
work will result in creating the MPCV, the only U.S. spacecraft
in development for deep space exploration that meets NASA’s
stringent human rating requirements.
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Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Systems
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Technology
Innovations
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Propulsion
Abort Motor, Attitude Control Motor, High Burn Rate Propellant
for Solid
Rocket Motors
Benefits
High reliability launch abort, steerable solid rocket
motors |
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Avionics
Algorithmic Autocode Generation, Standard
Operating System, Baseband Processor, High Speed/High Density Memory Devices,
Honeywell HX5000 Northstar ASIC
Benefits
Low cost, high performance, open architecture |
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Navigation
Atmospheric Skip Entry, Autonomous
Rendezvous and Docking, Fast Acquisition GPS Receiver,
High Density
Camera Sensors
Benefits
Low cost, high reliability, autonomous docking |
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Communications
C3I - Standard Communications, Communication Network Router
Card, Digital Video Recorder
Benefits
Low cost, high reliability, open architecture |
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Life Support & Safety
Backup and Survival Systems, Closed Loop Life Support,
Contingency Land Landing, Enhanced Waste Management, Environmental Control,
Hazard Detection, Isolation and Recovery
Benefits
Low consumables, long mission duration, high reliability,
low operations cost |
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Structures
Composite Spacecraft Structures, Human Rated
Spacecraft Primary Structures Development, Advanced Manufacturing
Benefits
Low cost, Low mass |
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Thermal Protection System
Ablative Heatshield with Composite Carrier Structure
Benefits
Low cost, high reliability, high energy (Beyond LEO) reentry |
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Power
Column Grid Array Packaging (CGA), Direct Energy Power
Transfer System
Benefits
Low cost, high reliability, low mass, long mission duration |
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Orion Featured Videos
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PAD Abort System
Pad Abort 1, a flight test being conducted to validate
the Orion crew exploration vehicle’s launch abort system,
will be conducted at the Orion Abort Flight Test launch complex
32E at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range near Las
Cruces, N.M.
+ View Flash Video
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Launch Abort System / Computational Fluid Dynamics
NASA engineers rigorously test flight hardware
in the real world, in labs and wind tunnels. They also use information
about hardware from models developed with computer-based tools,
such as CFD or Computational Fluid Dynamics.
+ View Flash Video
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Pallet Vibration Testing
In their ongoing work to develop the Orion
launch vehicle service module, engineers and researchers of the
NASA Glenn Pallet test team are working to reduce the effects of
high acoustic loading, or pressure exerted on the test vehicle by
high energy engine noise.
+ View Flash Video |
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ACE Engine Testing(A)
White Sands is partnering with the Glenn Research
Center in performing the ACE engine test. ACE stands for attitude
control engine.
+ View Flash Video
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ACE Engine Testing(B)
White Sands is partnering with the Glenn Research
Center in performing the ACE engine test. ACE stands for attitude
control engine
+ View Flash Video
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R4-D-11 rocket engine
NASA Glenn Research Center engineers are actively
engaged with the Orion prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, and its
subcontractor, Aerojet, in development testing of the R4-D-11 rocket
engine planned for use on the Orion crew exploration vehicle.
+ View
Flash Video |
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Radiator Stall
NASA and its contractor team reanalyzed several
new designs, and as a result of that analysis cycle, a new, commercially
available radiator fluid has been chosen for Orion.
+ View Flash Video
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Umbilical Connection
The NASA Glenn Research center in Cleveland,
Ohio is assisting in the development of this umbilical connection
and its release magnesium through studies taking place on a test
stand at the lab.
+ View Flash Video
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Vacco Valve
As part of NASA's ongoing effort to develop
the new Orion Crew Exploration vehicle, a propulsion team at the
Glenn Research Center performed a series of vibration tests on a
new variable speed, low mass, low leakage propellant isolation valve.
+ View Flash Video |
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Launch Abort System (LAS) Design Problem
