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Latest News

The Orion Ground Test Vehicle shows the Orion skeleton used for pathfinding operations in preparation for the Orion spaceflight test vehicle slated for Exploration Flight Test, or EFT1, in 2014.

NASA Conducts Tests on Orion Service Module

NASA engineers are testing parts of the Orion service module to ensure the spacecraft can withstand the harsh realities of deep space missions.

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Orion Monthly Accomplishments

Follow along with Orion's progress toward flight by reading the program's monthly accomplishments.

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NASA's Orion Moves Closer to Next Giant Leap

Lockheed Martin Space Systems will conduct the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1, in early 2014 for NASA.

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Test Version of Orion Arrives at KSC

The Orion Ground Test Vehicle arrived at the Operation & Checkout (O&C) Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Saturday, April ...

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jsc2012e041633 -- Test of the Orion crew vehicle's entry, descent and landing parachutes.

NASA Continues Orion Parachute Testing

NASA successfully conducted a drop test of the Orion crew vehicle's entry, descent and landing parachutes in preparation for the vehicle's orbital ...

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Orion MPCV Features

Built On A Solid Foundation

Designating Orion as NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle provides our nation with an affordable solution for multiple mission capability by continuing the the NASA-industry team's technology innovations and spacecraft development.
Leading Edge Design and Engineering

Drawing from more than 50 years of spaceflight research and development, the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is designed to meet the evolving needs of our nation's space program for decades to come.
Explore the Exploration Vehicle

Explore the Launch Abort System, Crew Module and Service Module of the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.
A NASA-Industry Team Effort

The Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) design team has incorporated cutting-edge technology garnered through collaborative efforts with every NASA center and hundreds of industry experts across the country.

About the Orion MPCV

The Orion MPCV (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle) is based on the Orion design requirements for traveling beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Orion will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.

Spacecraft to serve as the primary crew vehicle for missions beyond LEO
Capable of conducting regular in-space operations (rendezvous, docking, extravehicular activity) in conjunction with payloads delivered by the Space Launch System (SLS) for missions beyond LEO
Capability to be a backup system for International Space Station cargo and crew delivery