posted 03-30-2015 11:20 AM               

The HESM is a medium fidelity crew module structural mockup with the primary purpose of supporting critical risk reduction crew-interface activities.

posted 12-19-2015 02:21 PM               

Orion capsule exhibit previews 'Journey to Mars' at Space Center Houston

Artifacts from NASA's on-going efforts to develop Orion, its new spacecraft to fly astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, have landed at Space Center Houston as a preview of a planned "portal" that will give the public a look at NASA's "Journey to Mars."

Orion program officials with NASA and its prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, recently joined leaders from the Johnson Space Center to present the artifacts, which include a full-scale engineering mockup of the Orion spacecraft, a main parachute used on an atmospheric drop test and a United States flag that flew on the first orbital test flight of the new capsule.

"I want to thank Lockheed Martin and NASA for helping us tell the story of the future of space exploration to the [one] million people we have through here each year," Richard Allen, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, said during a presentation on Wednesday (Dec. 16).