SpaceBoy360*
New member
The current space shuttle program features a full inspection of the space shuttle for any damage while in orbit. The shuttle uses its robotic arm to inspect the shuttle's body using a camera and sensors which are mounted on the edge of the robotic arm. They undergo that inspection twice, one after liftoff, and the second one, before re-entry. The space shuttle is also undergoing a 180 degree flip, also known as the rendezvous pitch maneuver, to allow the ISS crew to photograph the shuttle's body for any damage.
But here is my question,
during NASA's new constellation program, which features the Orion crew capsule, what safety maneuvers will they perform and how? As far as I know, the Orion capsule will not feature a robotic arm, so how will they inspect the vehicle? Or will the only possible way to inspect will be as it approaches the ISS, and doing something similar to the rendezvous pitch maneuver?
The Orion capsule is very similar to the Apollo capsule, only that it's larger, and more advance. But during the Apollo missions, they didn't check their vehicles while in space as a priority. So what will be the safety maneuvers for NASA's new constellation program?
The escape mechanism will only be available during launch, as long as the escape tower is attached to Orion.
But here is my question,
during NASA's new constellation program, which features the Orion crew capsule, what safety maneuvers will they perform and how? As far as I know, the Orion capsule will not feature a robotic arm, so how will they inspect the vehicle? Or will the only possible way to inspect will be as it approaches the ISS, and doing something similar to the rendezvous pitch maneuver?
The Orion capsule is very similar to the Apollo capsule, only that it's larger, and more advance. But during the Apollo missions, they didn't check their vehicles while in space as a priority. So what will be the safety maneuvers for NASA's new constellation program?
The escape mechanism will only be available during launch, as long as the escape tower is attached to Orion.