[ Applause ]
[ Music ]
Exploration.
It is what people have done for centuries.
From crossing the oceans destined to distant lands,
to climbing the highest mountains
and exploring the depths of the seas.
We look to the heavens,
and dream that one day a human can survive the long journey
into our solar system.
It is for this dream today
that NASA's Orion Program is testing the limits
of space flight.
NASA is on a journey to send humans to Mars.
In the midst of a stepping stone approach to getting humans
to Mars, NASA is developing and testing technologies
at progressively farther distances from Earth.
To ensure we have the right capabilities for such a mission.
We are preparing for this first flight,
currently designated Exploration Mission One.
In which the spacecraft will travel thousands
of miles beyond the moon, over the course of about three weeks.
The Orion will launch in November,
2018 on the most powerful rocket in the world, and fly farther
than any spacecraft built for humans.
It will stay in space longer than any ship has done
with astronauts, without docking to a space station.
And return home faster and hotter than ever before.
The Orion EM1 will be the first mission uncrewed.
And it will be able -- be able to test
out the Orion capabilities for this mission.
And push into the proving ground
where we can demonstrate our human and technical capabilities
for long-duration space exploration.
With the goal to proceed on the long voyage to Mars.
For this journey to Mars, NASA has partnered
with the European Space Agency for the European service module.
The development team spans two continents, seven countries,
eight defense contractors, numerous part suppliers
and subcontractors throughout the US and Europe.
The NASA Glenn Research Center is an integral part
of the Orion program.
Managing the integration effort for the --
with the rest of the Orion vehicle,
and conducting critical testing.
The European service module is the powerhouse of Orion.
Comprised of four solar array wings,
the panels provide enough electricity
to power two typical households.
Providing 120 volts of power for computers,
experiments, and other hardware.
It also serves as Orion's primary in-space propulsion
system for the Orion vehicle.
And provides air to breathe, water to drink,
and storage capabilities for future crews.
The unpressurized, cylindrical module is
about 13 feet long by 6.5 feet high.
Including the main engines, and the tanks
for gas and propellant.
During launch, it is held in place
by NASA's spacecraft adapter, and is connected to the capsule
where the astronauts are by the crew module adapter.
NASA Glenn Research Center constructed a test facility
at Plum Brook Station to enable qualification
of large spacecraft, and was built to meet Orion's needs.
This three-and-a-half year renovation project,
using 14.1 million pounds of concrete,
and employing 125 workers,
provides a one-stop human spaceflight environmental
testing capability.
In November 2015, the European Space Agency's contractor --
Air Bus Defense in Space --
delivered a structural test article
to NASA Glenn's Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio,
for critical environmental testing.
It arrived at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
above the Antonov 124.
A Russian airlift cargo aircraft capable
of transporting up to 150 tons.
The European structural test article only weighed 33 tons.
Well within the aircraft's limits.
But filled every square inch of the aircraft's cargo hold.
And required four semi truck trailers
to deliver the test article, and support equipment for assembly
to Plum Brook's Space Power Facility.
Immediately following delivery, the teams worked tirelessly
to assemble the test article.
A replica of the flight unit.
For a rigorous series of tests
that will ensure the successful flight of Orion,
the next generation of human-rated spacecraft.
The test campaign aims to analyze
and validate every element and function
of the structural test article.
Which represents Orion's power and life support systems.
The first series of tests was to demonstrate the deployment
of the solar array wing.
The wing is constructed of three solar panels.
And when deployed, spans 63 feet tip-to-tip.
On launch, the wing is folded inside the spacecraft.
Stowed in position by four Kevlar straps.
To release the array wing, thermal knives cut the straps.
Listen for the snap.
[loud sound and then horn]
Once deployed to orbit, the solar array wing must expand
to allow the Orion vehicle to receive power.
This test was an important first step
to verify Orion's power system.
The test confirmed that the array unfurled properly.
Locked into place.
And that all of the mechanisms functioned as expected.
Following the solar array wing deployment test,
the structural test article was transferred
to the acoustics chamber.
The chamber is the most powerful in the world,
and mimics the launch environment
that the Orion spacecraft will experience.
The test was conducted to ensure the test article could withstand
the force and pressure of the acoustic's environment.
When a powerful rocket launches, such as the space launch system,
which will propel Orion into orbit,
it can produce noise up to 180 decibels.
Levels so high it can vibrate and damage spacecraft components
if they are not designed and built strong enough
to withstand the environment.
The maximum test lasts approximately three minutes.
Microphones and sensors are placed in
and around the test article to determine that the noise
in the test chamber match the expected acoustic environment
inside the service module.
The test confirmed a sound design.
The final series of tests
in the campaign was the mechanical vibration test.
This powerful spacecraft shaker system was used
to assess the test articles ability to withstand the tremor
that a launch will produce.
In this test, we simulated what was predicted the test article
would see, by increasing and decreasing the vibration levels.
The vibration test only lasts a minute.
And during the test, the table sweeps from low
to high frequency movements.
As you can see in the video, we used a hula girl figurine
as a visual to detect table
and test article movement during the test.
At low-frequency, like bobbing up and down in a boat,
the hula girl does a slow sway.
In fact, she doesn't appear to dance at all.
You can, however, see the actuators that control the table
on the right move up and down.
When we sweep to a higher frequency,
this is much harder to see on the table.
That's why we use the hula girl.
The actuators look like they're stopping.
But they're moving so fast you can't see it.
Notice the hula girls start to shimmy.
The test is performed as expected, and we concluded
that the structure is designed
to survive the launch environments.
The development of the European Service Module is an important
next step in our exploration goals.
Testing that has been conducted
to date has helped verify the integrity of the design.
The flight model is currently under production,
and is expected to ship to the United States next year.
The Orion launch is in 2018.
The first unmanned mission to demonstrate
that systems will operate as planned.
Our destiny is to explore the heavens.
But we must make it safe for our crew.
Everything we are doing today,
ensures that the vehicle is designed well,
and crew can survive and return home safely.
Today is a stepping stone, and our proving ground.
Our mission has started.
So please join us on this exciting journey to Mars
[applause].
I'd like to thank everyone that supplied me
with video, photos, and data.
Special thanks to Aimee Crane and Carol Ginty
who supported this presentation.
There are many to thank in the Orion program,
as well as the European Service Agency,
and the Airbus Defense in Space.
Thank you.