Orion is NASA's new generation spacecraft, which will take astronauts beyond Earth's orbit for the first time in 40 years. Designed in the image and likeness of Apollo, but with modern technologies, the Orion capsule, placed on a Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle, will be able to carry up to six people and by 2030 will be able to take people to Mars. At least that's what NASA plans. In December 2014, the Orion capsule was successfully tested, completing a 4.5-hour orbit around Earth and falling into the Pacific Ocean as planned. The cost of the test launch was $350 million.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) tested the spacecraft's emergency rescue system, reports Space.com. The system is designed to safely move the spacecraft away from the launch vehicle in the event of serious emergency situations during launch. As the source points out, during tests conducted at one of the Nortrop Grumman test benches, the rescue system engine was started for 30 seconds and provided a thrust of 31 kN.
The future has arrived. Space travel and interplanetary ships, stations for people on the Moon and Mars and long-term human stay in outer space no longer seem like science fiction. Achievements in astronautics, space exploration and the latest discoveries of physicists have made the beginning of our century akin to the end of the past for the Internet. A time of uncertainty, development of creative thought and financial reality. Dozens of international companies work in the field of space technology, projects appear and disappear, providing food for the development of creative imagination. Becoming an incarnation in reality is lucky in everything. The American astronautics project, the Orion spacecraft, has become a reality. This article, other projects, and prospects for space exploration are discussed in this article.
General introductions
"Orion" is the latest generation spacecraft, the purpose of which is to take humans beyond the Earth's orbit. Equipped with modern technologies, the reusable capsule, placed on the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle, will be able to transport a crew of six astronauts and will take a person to Mars as early as 2030. These are the plans voiced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
In December 2014, the Orion spacecraft spent 4.5 hours in Earth orbit and landed in the Pacific Ocean, proving the possibility of implementing the company's plans. The heat shield, capsule and parachute system have been tested. The crash test cost $350 million, but they met the hopes of the entire world community for the Orion spacecraft. Photos and video materials occupied the media space and the attention of the world community for a long time. Applications for astronaut candidates on the Orion spacecraft soared from eight thousand to a record 18,300. The film of the ship's launch collected record numbers of views on video hosting sites.
So far the best
Designed in the image and likeness of Apollo, this ship represents the latest generation of Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Since the mid-2000s, a partially reusable manned spacecraft has been developed as part of the massive US Constellation space program.
The Orion spacecraft consists of a reusable and habitable capsule and a service module. The capsule was manufactured by the aerospace corporation Lockheed Martin for NASA. The customer of the module was ESA, and it was manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space. This is a major international joint project in the field of spaceship construction.
Specialized sources describe in detail the structure and technical characteristics of this aircraft. For the average reader, this is cumbersome and obscure information characterizing the Orion spacecraft. The design and principle of use of Orion has a number of characteristic and specific features, which we will dwell on.
"Orion", "Apollo", shuttles and others
The appearance and shape are similar to the Apollo capsules and the Russian Soyuz. It is this form that is most optimal when entering the atmosphere and moving through it. Excess heat is absorbed using an ablative heat shield, which burns out almost completely upon landing and is easily replaced for a new flight.
The control system is based on single-core PowerPC 750FX processors, which led the media to claim that Orions are no smarter than modern smartphones. But the developers explained their choice by the high reliability of these systems under extreme vibrations, temperature fluctuations and cosmic radiation.
The Orion spacecraft has another innovative quality. According to the principle of modules, anything can be attached to the ship. From additional engines to transport compartments. The media immediately called it a “space truck.”
Unlike the Space Shuttle, which was designed as a space shuttle, the Orion spacecraft is equipped with such a detail as a powerful system for protecting and rescuing astronauts at launch. The system automatically turns on the rocket engines, they will carry the crew away from the explosion zone and ensure a normal landing.
Project Orion: the beginning
A program called Orion was born in San Diego in 1958 in the depths of the General Atomics company. Her parents are the legendary nuclear physicist Frederick Hoffman, co-author with Theodore Taylor. The goal they set for themselves was a relatively cheap and simple spacecraft capable of reaching speeds close to the speed of light. The basis of the project was an explosive-type nuclear pulse rocket. They proposed replacing the explosion chamber with a steel shield, which would immediately make it possible to achieve an exhaust velocity of up to 10,000 km/s. According to the design, nuclear charges with a power of up to one kiloton were thrown out of the ship and exploded 60 meters from the shield at certain intervals.
The Orion program: a difficult path
Several models of such pushers were manufactured, and already in 1959 the first tests were carried out with the launch of the installation to a height of up to 100 meters. The pulse engine confirmed the possibility of stable flight. The shield also underwent changes, and it was decided to spray graphite lubricant on its surface.
The program was designed for 12 years, with a cost of 24 billion dollars. NASA did not support the project then and the program was closed. And after the signing in 1964 of an international treaty banning the atmosphere and on earth, the Orion project was outlawed.
It was returned to in the 2000s as part of the Constellation manned spacecraft development program. The development and construction were entrusted to the company. And in 2014, the first Orion spacecraft successfully launched and landed. NASA lived up to its hopes.
"Orion": with hope for the future
In March 2017, the US Congress unanimously approved NASA's budget of $19.1 billion for 2018 - almost $200 billion more than last year.
The Congressional bill states that humans should be on the surface of Mars in 2030.
Well, the prospects for the Orion project inspire optimism and please us with the availability of financial opportunities. The re-launch of the spacecraft into orbit is scheduled for 2018, and a manned mission is expected a few years later. The Agency is working on the preparation and development of new programs.
Technical prospects
NASA does not stand still and is considering various projects for interstellar flights. Even the most futuristic ones: a project of nanoships that self-repair anywhere in the galaxy or laser sails.
Since the 1990s, the agency has been holding space propulsion research workshops where top physicists and engineers review all designs and theories. The Breakthrough Physics Principles program seeks the promise of using quantum physics to enable interstellar travel.
The most impressive project is the use of antimatter as an energy source for intergalactic travel. Humanity has already obtained antimatter and even found a way to store it. Why not fly it to the stars?
Fantastic prospects: Krasnikov pipes
The Warp Drive from Star Trek isn't all that fantastic. The Alcubierre engine power plant, which compresses space-time in front of itself and expands it behind it, is theoretically justified. Since 2012, such developments have been carried out by scientists at the University of Sydney.
Mikel Alcubierre published the idea of his “time bubble” in 1994. A year later, a theoretical physicist from Moscow, Sergei Krasnikov, put forward a theory about a device that would enable space travel at speeds faster than the speed of light.
These are curvatures of space based on the “wormhole” principle, created artificially. According to his theory, the astronaut will return at the same time he set off. This will happen due to the movement of the spacecraft through other dimensions and curved space-time.
> Orion
Explore the circuit constellation Orion near the celestial equator: quart of the starry sky, description with photos, bright stars, Betelgeuse, Orion's belt, facts, myth, legend.
Orion- this is one of the most striking and popular constellations, located on the celestial equator. They knew about it in ancient times. It was also called the Hunter because it has a connection with mythology and depicts the hunter Orion. He is often depicted standing in front of Taurus or chasing the Hare with two dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor).
The constellation Orion contains two of the ten brightest stars - and, as well as the famous (M42), (M43) and. Also here you can find the Trapezium cluster and one of the most noticeable asterisms - Orion's Belt.
Facts, position and map of the Orion constellation
With an area of 594 square degrees, the constellation Orion ranks 26th in size. Covers the first quadrant in the northern hemisphere (NQ1). It can be found in latitudes from +85° to -75°. Adjacent to , and .
| Orion | |
|---|---|
| Lat. Name | Orion |
| Reduction | Ori |
| Symbol | Orion |
| Right ascension | from 4 h 37 m to 6 h 18 m |
| Declension | from -11° to +22° 50’ |
| Square | 594 sq. degrees (26th place) |
| Brightest stars (value< 3 m ) |
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| Meteor showers |
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| Neighboring constellations |
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| The constellation is visible at latitudes from +79° to -67°. The best time for observation is January. |
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It contains 3 Messier objects: (M42, NGC 1976), (M43, NGC 1982) and (M78, NGC 2068), as well as 7 stars with planets. The brightest star is , whose visual magnitude reaches 0.18. In addition, it ranks 6th in brightness among all stars. The second star is (0.43), standing in 8th position in the general list. There are two meteor showers: the Orionids (October 21) and the Chi Orionids. The constellation is included in the Orion group along with, and. Consider the diagram of the constellation Orion on a star chart.
The myth of the constellation Orion
we need to explain the history and name of the constellation Orion. Hunter Orion was considered the most beautiful man. He is the son of Poseidon and Euryale (daughter of Minos). Homer in the Odyssey described him as tall and indestructible. In one of the stories, Orion fell in love with the Pleiades (7 sisters and daughters of Atlas and Pleione). Moreover, he began to pursue them. Zeus decided to hide them in the sky in the constellation Taurus. But even now you can notice that the hunter continues to follow them.
In another myth, the object of his adoration was Merope (daughter of King Oenopol), who did not reciprocate. One day he got drunk and tried to get her by force. Then the enraged king blinded him and drove him out of his lands. Hephaestus took pity on the man and sent one of his assistants to him to replace his eyes. One day Orion met the Oracle. He said that his vision would return if he arrived in the east at sunrise. And the miracle happened.
The Sumerians knew about Orion from the myth of Gilgamesh. They had their own hero, forced to fight the heavenly bull (Taurus - GUD AN-NA). They called Orion URU AN-NA - "light of heaven."
In cards he was often depicted fighting a bull, but this plot does not exist in mythology. Ptolemy described him as a hero with a club and a lion's skin, which is usually associated with Hercules. But since the constellation itself is not very noticeable, and Hercules had a feat with a bull, sometimes a connection is seen between them.
Almost all stories about his death include a scorpion. In one of them, Orion boasted to Artemis and her mother Leto that he could destroy any earthly creature. Then she sent a scorpion to him, which killed him with deadly poison. Or he tried to achieve the love of Artemis and then she also sent a scorpion. In another tale, Orion died from poison in an attempt to save Leto. Whatever the version, the ending is the same - a scorpion sting. Both ended up in the sky, with Orion setting behind the horizon in the west, as if running away from his killer.
But there is another story. Artemis fell in love with the hunter. But Apollo did not want her to give up her chastity. He gave her a bow and arrows and told her to shoot at a small target. She did not know that Orion was her, and she killed the man she desired.
Orion is popular in many cultures. In South Africa the three stars are called the “Three Kings” or “Three Sisters”, and in Spain they are called the “Three Marys”. In Babylon, Orion was called MUL.SIPA.ZI.AN.NA (Heavenly Shepherd), and in the late Bronze Age he was associated with the god Anu. The Egyptians believed that this was Osiris (the god of death). It was also represented by the Fifth Dynasty pharaoh Unas, who ate the flesh of his enemies to become great. After his death, he went to heaven in the guise of Orion.
Pharaohs were perceived as gods by their subordinates, which is why most pyramids (at Giza) were built to reflect the constellation. For the Aztecs, the growth of stars in the sky symbolized the beginning of the New Fire ceremony. This ritual was necessary because it delayed the date of the end of the world.
In Hungarian myths it was Nimrod, the hunter and father of the twins Hunor and Magor. The Scandinavians saw him as the goddess Freya, and in China - Shen (hunter and warrior). In the second millennium BC. there was a legend created by the Hittites. This is the story of the goddess Anat, who fell in love with a hunter. He refused to lend her his bow, so she sent a man to steal it. But he failed and dropped it into the sea. That is why in the spring the constellation drops below the horizon for two months.
The main stars of the constellation Orion
Explore the bright stars in the constellation Orion with detailed descriptions, photos and characteristics.
Rigel(Beta Orionis) is a blue supergiant (B8lab), located 772.51 light years away. Exceeds solar brightness by 85,000 times and occupies 17 mass. It is a faint and irregular variable star whose brightness varies from 0.03 to 0.3 magnitude over 22-25 days.
Apparent visual magnitude – 0.18 (the brightest in the constellation and the 6th in the sky). This is a star system represented by three objects. In 1831 F.G. Struve measured it as a visual binary surrounded by an envelope of gas.
Rigel A is 500 times brighter than Rigel B, which itself is a spectroscopic binary star with a magnitude of 6.7. It is represented by a pair of main sequence stars (B9V) with an orbital period of 9.8 days.
The star is connected by neighboring dust clouds, which it illuminates. Among them is IC 2118 (the Witch's Head Nebula), a faint reflection nebula located 2.5 degrees northwest of Rigel in the constellation Eridanus.
Part of the Taurus-Orion R1 association. Some believe that it would fit perfectly into the OB1 Orionis Association, but the star is too close to us. Age – 10 million years. One day it transforms into a red supergiant, reminiscent of Betelgeuse.
The name is from the Arabic phrase Riǧl Ǧawza al-Yusra - “left foot”. Rigel marks Orion's left leg. Also in Arabic it was called il al-Shabbar - “the foot of the great.”
Betelgeuse(Alpha Orion, 58 Orion) is a red supergiant (M2lab) with a visual magnitude of 0.42 (the second brightest in the constellation) and a distance of 643 light years. The absolute value is -6.05.
Recent discoveries show that the star emits more light than 100,000 suns, making it brighter than most stars in its class. Therefore, we can say that the classification is outdated.
Its apparent diameter ranges from 0.043 to 0.056 arcseconds. It is very difficult to say more precisely, because the star periodically changes its shape due to the colossal loss of mass.
It is a semiregular variable star whose apparent visual magnitude ranges from 0.2 to 1.2 (sometimes eclipsing Rigel). This was first noticed by John Herschel in 1836. Its age is 10 million years, and this is not enough for a red supergiant. It is believed that it developed very quickly due to its enormous mass. It will explode as a supernova in the next millions of years. During this event, it will be visible even during the day (it will shine brighter than the Moon and will become the brightest in the history of supernovae).
Part of two asterisms: the Winter Triangle (together with Sirius and Procyon) and the Winter Hexagon (Aldebaran, Capella, Pollux, Castor, Sirius and Procyon).
The name is a corruption of the Arabic phrase "Yad al-Jawza" - "hands of Orion", which became "Betlegez" when translated into medieval Latin. Moreover, the first Arabic letter was mistaken for b, which led to the name “Bait al-Jauzā” - “the house of Orion” in the Renaissance. It turns out that because of one mistake, the modern name of the star grew.
Bellatrix(Gamma Orionis, 24 Orionis) is a hot, luminous blue-white giant (B2 III) with an apparent magnitude ranging from 1.59 to 1.64 and a distance of 240 light years. It is one of the hottest stars visible to the naked eye. Releases 6400 times more sunlight and occupies 8-9 of its masses. In a few million years it will become an orange giant, after which it will transform into a massive white dwarf.
She is sometimes called the "Star of the Amazon." It ranks 3rd in brightness in the constellation and 27th in the sky. The name comes from the Latin "woman warrior".
Orion's Belt: Mintaka, Alnilam and Alnitak (Delta, Epsilon and Zeta)
Orion's Belt is one of the most famous asterisms in the night sky. It is formed by three bright stars: Mintaka (Delta), Alnilam (Epsilon) and Alnitak (Zeta).
Mintaka(Delta Orionis) is an eclipsing binary variable. The main object is a double star, represented by a B-type giant and a hot O-type star, whose orbital period is 5.63 days. They eclipse each other, reducing their brightness by 0.2 magnitude. At 52" from them there is a star of magnitude 7 and a faint star of magnitude 14.
The system is 900 light years away. The brightest components are 90,000 times brighter than the Sun and occupy more than 20 of its masses. They will both end their lives in supernova explosions. In order of brightness, the apparent magnitudes of the components are 2.23 (3.2/3.3), 6.85 and 14.0.
The name comes from the Arabic word manţaqah - “area”. In Orion's belt it is the faintest star and the 7th brightest in the constellation.
Alnilam(Epsilon Orionis, 46 Orionis) is a hot, bright blue supergiant (B0) with an apparent magnitude of 1.70 and a distance of 1300 light years. It ranks fourth in brightness in the constellation and 30th in the sky. Occupies a central place in the belt. Emits 375,000 solar luminosities.
It is surrounded by the nebula NGC 1990, a molecular cloud. The stellar wind reaches speeds of 2000 km/s. Age – 4 million years. The star is losing mass, so internal hydrogen fusion is coming to an end. Very soon it will turn into a red supergiant (brighter than Betelgeuse) and explode as a supernova. The name from Arabic “an-niżām” translates as “string of pearls”.
Alnitak(Zeta Orionis, 50 Orionis) is a multiple star system with an apparent magnitude of 1.72 and a distance of 700 light years. The brightest object is Alnitak A. This is a hot, blue supergiant (O9), whose absolute magnitude reaches -5.25 with a visual magnitude of 2.04.
It is a nearby double star, represented by a supergiant (O9.7) with 28 times the mass of the Sun, and a blue dwarf (OV) with an apparent magnitude of 4 (found in 1998).
The name Alnitak means "belt" in Arabic. On February 1, 1786, the nebula was discovered by William Herschel.
Alnitak is the easternmost star in Orion's Belt. Located next to the emission nebula IC 434.
Saif(Kappa Orionis, 53 Orionis) is a blue supergiant (B0.5) with an apparent visual magnitude of 2.06 and a distance of 720 light years. Ranks 6th in brightness. It is the southeastern star of the Orion quadrangle.
The name comes from the Arabic phrase saif al jabbar - "the giant's sword." Like many other bright stars in Orion, Saif will end in a supernova explosion.
Nair Al Saif(Iota Orionis) is the fourth star system in the constellation and the brightest star in the sword of Orion. The apparent magnitude is 2.77, and the distance is 1300 light years. The traditional name from Arabic Na "ir al Saif means "bright sword."
The main object is a massive spectroscopic binary star with a 29-day orbit. The system is represented by a blue giant (O9 III) and a star (B1 III). The pair constantly collides with stellar winds and is therefore a strong source of X-rays.
Lambda Orion– a blue giant (O8III) with a visual magnitude of 3.39 and a distance of 1100 light years. This is a double star. The companion is a hot blue-white dwarf (B0.5V) with an apparent magnitude of 5.61. Located 4.4 arcseconds from the main star.
The traditional name "Meissa" is translated from Arabic as "shining". Sometimes it is called Heka - “white spot”.
Phi Orion– refers to two star systems separated by 0.71 degrees. Phi-1 is a double star located 1000 light years away. The main object is a main sequence star (B0) with an apparent magnitude of 4.39. Phi-2 is a giant (K0) with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.09 and a distance of 115 light years.
Pi Orion- a loose group of stars forming the shield of Orion. Unlike most binary and multiple stars, the objects in this system are located at large intervals. Pi-1 and Pi-6 are separated by almost 9 degrees.
Pi-1 (7 Orionis) is the faintest star in the system. It is a main sequence white dwarf (A0) with an apparent magnitude of 4.60 and a distance of 120 light years.
Pi-2 (2 Orionis) is a main sequence dwarf (A1Vn) with a visual magnitude of 4.35 and a distance of 194 light years.
Pi-3 (1 Orionis, Tabit) is a white dwarf (F6V) located 26.32 light years away. It ranks 1st in brightness among the six stars. Reaches 1.2 solar masses, 1.3 radii and is 3 times brighter. It is believed that it may contain Earth-sized planets. Al-Tabit means "patience" in Arabic.
Pi-4 (3 Orionis) is a spectroscopic double star with an apparent magnitude of 3.69 and a distance of 1250 light years. It is represented by a giant and a subgiant (both B2), located so close that they cannot be separated visually even with a telescope. But their spectra demonstrate binarity. The stars revolve around each other with a period of 9.5191 days. Their mass is 10 times that of the sun, and their luminosity is 16,200 and 10,800 times brighter.
Pi-5 (8 Orionis) is a star with an apparent magnitude of 3.70 and a distance of 1342 light years.
Pi-6 (10 Orionis) is a bright orange giant (K2II). It is a variable star with an average visual magnitude of 4.45 and a distance of 954 light years.
Eta Orion– an eclipsing binary star system represented by blue stars (B0.5V), located 900 light years away. This is a Beta Lyrae variable (brightness changes due to one object blocking another). Visual magnitude – 3.38.
Located in the Orion Arm, a small spiral arm of the Milky Way. Located west of Orion's Belt.
Sigma Orionis- a multiple star system consisting of 5 stars located south of Alnitak. The system is located 1150 light years away.
The main object is the double star Sigma Orionis AB, represented by hydrogen-fueling dwarfs separated by 0.25 arcseconds. The brighter component is a blue star (O9V) with an apparent magnitude of 4.2. The satellite is a star (B0.5V) with a visual magnitude of 5.1. Their orbital revolution takes 170 years.
Sigma C is a dwarf (A2V) with an apparent magnitude of 8.79.
Sigma D and E are dwarfs (B2V) with magnitudes 6.62 and 6.66. E is characterized by a huge amount of helium.
Tau Orion– a star (B5III) with an apparent magnitude of 3.59 and a distance of 555 light years. It can be seen without technology.
Chi Orion is a main sequence dwarf (G0V) with an apparent magnitude of 4.39 and a distance of 28 light years. It is accompanied by a faint red dwarf whose rotation period is 14.1 years.
Gliese 208– an orange dwarf (K7) with an apparent magnitude of 8.9 and a distance of 37.1 light years. It is believed that 500,000 years ago it was 5 light years from the Sun.
V380 Orion is a triple star system illuminating the reflection nebula NGC 1999. Its spectral type is A0, and its distance is 1000 light years.
The nebula has a huge empty hole, displayed as a black spot in the central region. No one yet knows exactly why it is dark, but it is speculated that narrow jets of gas from nearby young stars may have penetrated the nebula's dust and gas layer, and strong radiation from an older star in the region helped create the hole.
The nebula is 1500 light years away.
GJ 3379– a red dwarf M3.5V with a visual magnitude of 11.33 and a distance of 17.5 light years. It is believed that 163,000 years ago it was 4.3 light years from the Sun. This is the closest Orion star to our system. Located just 17.5 light years away.
Celestial objects of the Orion constellation
Orion Cloud– hosts a large group of dark clouds, bright emission and reflection nebulae, dark nebulae, H II regions (active star formation) and young stars in the constellation. Located 1500-1600 light years away. Some regions can be seen with the naked eye.
Orion Nebula(Messier 42, M42, NGC 1976) is a diffuse reflection nebula located south of the three stars that form Orion's belt. It is sometimes also called the Great Nebula or the Great Orion Nebula.
With a visual magnitude of 4.0 and a distance of 1344 light years, it can be seen without the use of technology. It resembles a fuzzy star south of Orion's Belt.
It is the closest region of massive star formation and is part of the Orion Cloud cluster. Contains the Trapezium of Orionis, a young open cluster. It is easily recognized by its four brightest stars.
– a young open cluster with an apparent visual magnitude of 4.0. Occupies 47 arcseconds at the center of the Orion Nebula. On February 4, 1617, it was found by Galileo Galilei. He drew three stars (A, C and D). The fourth was added only in 1673. In 1888 there were 8 of them. The brightest 5 illuminate the nebula around them. This is an asterism that is easy to find by four stars.
The brightest and most massive star is theta-1 Orion C. It is a blue main sequence star (O6pe V) with a visual magnitude of 5.13 and a distance of 1500 light years. It is one of the most famous luminous stars with an absolute magnitude of -3.2. It also has the highest surface temperature among stars that can be found with the naked eye (45,500 K).
(Messier 43, M43, NGC 1982) is a star-forming emission-reflection nebula. Region HII was first discovered by Jean-Jacques de Meran in 1731. Charles Messier later included it in his catalogue.
It is part of the Orion Nebula, but is separated from it by a large band of interstellar dust. The apparent magnitude is 9.0, and the distance is 1600 light years. It is located 7 arcminutes north of the Trapezium of Orion.
Messier 78(M78, NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula with an apparent visual magnitude of 8.3 and a distance of 1600 light years. Discovered in 1780 by Pierre Mechain. In the same year, Charles Messier added it to his catalogue.
It surrounds two 10th magnitude stars and is easy to find with a small telescope. It also contains approximately 45 T Tauri variables (young stars in the process of formation).
(Barnard 33) is a dark nebula located south of Alnitak and is part of the bright emission nebula IC 434. It is located 1500 light years away. In 1888, it was discovered by American astronomer William Fleming.
It got its name because of the shape formed by dark dusty clouds and gases, reminiscent of a horse's head.
is an emission nebula located in the Orion molecular cloud complex. It is 1600 light years away and has an apparent magnitude of 5. It is believed to have appeared 2 million years ago due to a supernova explosion. Occupies 150 light years in radius and covers most of the constellation. In appearance, it resembles a giant arc centered around Messier 42. The loop is ionized by stars located in the Orion Nebula. It received its name in honor of E. E. Barnard, who took a photograph of it in 1894 and gave a description.
Flame Nebula(NGC 2024) is an emission nebula with a visual magnitude of 2.0 and a distance of 900-1500 light years. It is illuminated by the blue supergiant Alnitak. The star emits ultraviolet light into the nebula, bouncing electrons off clouds of hydrogen gas inside. The glow appears due to the recombination of electrons and ionized hydrogen.
Cluster 37(NGC 2169) is an open star cluster with an apparent magnitude of 5.9 and a distance of 3600 light years. It is less than 7 arcminutes in diameter and contains 30 stars, 8 million years old. The brightest of them reaches an apparent magnitude of 6.94.
In the mid-17th century, the cluster was discovered by Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Godierna. On October 15, 1784, he was noticed separately by William Herschel. The cluster is sometimes called "37" because the arrangement of stars resembles this number.
– a reflection nebula and one of the brightest sources of fluorescent molecular hydrogen. It is illuminated by the star HD 37903. The nebula can be found 3 degrees from the Horsehead Nebula. Located 1467.7 light years away.
Monkey Head Nebula(NGC 2174) is an emission nebula (H II region), 6400 light years distant. Associated with the open cluster NGC 2175. It is called the Monkey Head Nebula due to associations in images.
First of all, a human flight to Mars is a very difficult and complex task. In this regard, in order to turn these plans from fantasies into facts, the US space agency has carried out a conditional classification of problematic issues into five classes, namely:
1. Radiation. The first danger that will accompany astronauts on a flight to Mars is the most difficult to visualize, but it is one of the main problems. This is mainly explained by the fact that the flight to Mars will take place outside the natural protection of the Earth, and therefore crew members will have increased risks of cancer, damage to the central nervous system, changes in cognitive functions, decreased motor skills, etc. It should be noted that the current Although the international space station is protected by the Earth's magnetic field, they are nevertheless exposed to ten times more radiation than on the surface of the planet, but still less than in deep space.
To mitigate this danger, NASA spacecraft will have radiation shielding and dosimetry and warning systems. In addition, the agency conducts research into medical countermeasures to protect against radiation, such as pharmaceuticals.
2. Isolation and imprisonment. Behavioral problems among a group of people who are in a confined space for a long period of time are inevitable, even if we are talking about specially trained and trained spacecraft crew members. In this regard, the agency is working on careful selection and training of crews, which will minimize this risk even during flights that will last from several months to several years.
At the same time, on Earth we have the luxury of using mobile phones to communicate almost instantly with everyone around us. At the same time, when flying to Mars, astronauts will be more isolated than we can imagine.
Decreased sleep volume, circadian desynchronization and fatigue can exacerbate problems and lead to negative health consequences, and therefore lead to non-zero risks to the ultimate mission goal.
To eliminate this danger, NASA is developing methods for monitoring the health status and process of adaptation of astronauts to flight conditions, and improving various tools and technologies for use in flight conditions for early detection and treatment. Research is also being conducted in the areas of workload, work productivity, light therapy (planned to be used for circadian alignment), etc.
3. Distance from Earth. The third and perhaps most obvious danger is distance. On average, Mars is 140 million miles from Earth. Instead of a three-day trip to the moon, astronauts will be in space for about three years. At the same time, the currently existing statistics were mainly obtained by monitoring the condition of astronauts on board the ISS, which is not always comparable to a flight to Mars. Moreover, if an emergency situation occurs at the station, the astronauts will always be able to return to Earth within a few hours. In addition, cargo transport ships supply the station with fresh produce, medical equipment and other resources on an ongoing basis.
In this regard, planning and self-sufficiency are very important keys to conducting a successful Mars mission, and the astronauts themselves, in conditions of long data transmission to Earth (up to 20 minutes), must be prepared and able to solve problems independently.
4. Gravity. Changes in gravity are the fourth hazard for astronauts. On Mars, crew members will have to live for two years in conditions of gravity, which is significantly less than on Earth. In addition, during the six-month flight there will be no gravity at all. It should also be noted that when the astronauts finally return home, they will have to undergo a rehabilitation course. Problematic aspects of the flight also include the fact that during takeoff and landing, astronauts will experience a temporary increase in gravity.
To eliminate the above shortcomings, NASA is conducting research into both methods for preventing osteoporosis and methods for treating it. Also, as part of reducing this type of risk, research is being conducted in the field of human metabolism.
5. Hostile and closed environments. The spaceship is not only a home for astronauts, but also a machine. The US Space Agency recognizes that the ecosystem inside the spacecraft plays an important role for astronauts, and therefore adequately assesses the importance of living conditions, including: temperature, pressure, lighting, noise and pressurized compartment volume. It is extremely important that astronauts receive the necessary food, sleep, and exercise during the flight. In this regard, the US space agency is developing technologies that will have to include monitoring systems for all parameters of the astronauts' habitat, from monitoring air quality to monitoring microorganisms.
Delta IV Heavy (test flight)
Ares-1 (cancelled)
Initially, the test flight of the spacecraft was scheduled for 2013, the first manned flight with a crew of two astronauts was planned for 2014, and the start of flights to the Moon for 2019-2020. At the end of 2011, it was assumed that the first flight without astronauts would take place in 2014, and the first manned flight in 2017. As of 2016, Orion's first manned flight is expected to take place no earlier than 2023, although the company has stated that it will try to make it by 2021.
The first unmanned test flight (EFT-1) took place on December 5, 2014, using a Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle.
Unmanned flight ( EM-1) using the SLS carrier with a flyby of the Moon was planned for the end of 2018, but then due to technical shortcomings and financial difficulties of NASA, the launch of the SLS was postponed until at least 2019.
Description
The Orion spacecraft will carry both cargo and astronauts into space. When flying to the ISS, the Orion crew can include up to 6 astronauts. It was planned to send four astronauts on the expedition to the Moon. The Orion ship was supposed to ensure the delivery of people to the Moon for a long stay on it in order to subsequently prepare a manned flight to Mars.
The diameter of the Orion ship is 5.3 meters (16.5 feet), the mass of the ship is approx. 25 tons. The internal volume of Orion will be 1.5 times greater than the internal volume of the Apollo spacecraft. The volume of the Orion vehicle cabin (MPCV) is about 9 m³. And this is not the total volume of the sealed structure, but precisely the space free from equipment, computers, chairs and other “stuffing”; the ship will be equipped with a toilet.
The shape of the main part of the Orion spacecraft is similar to the shape of previous Apollo spacecraft, but its creation uses the latest advances in computer technology, electronics, life support system technology, and thermal protection system technology. The conical shape of the descent vehicle is the safest and most reliable when returning to Earth, especially with the speed of return from deep space (about 11.1 km/s). The main part of the ship is expected to be reusable. It is planned that service module of the Orion spacecraft(SM) the first two flights on the SLS launch vehicle will be an upgraded version of the ESA ATV transport vehicle, which will be equipped with a main engine AJ-10 and eight engines R-4D. The Orion spacecraft will be able to dock with Russian spacecraft, including the Federation.
Before flights to Mars, experts are developing a plan for a manned Orion mission to the asteroid no earlier than the end of the 2020s. Since the ship was originally created for flights to the Moon, which take relatively little time, to prepare for long-distance space travel it will be necessary to modernize it and increase the amount of usable space. The option of combining two Orions or connecting the ship with a larger residential module is being considered. It is planned that the ship will go to the asteroid with two astronauts on board.
Chronology
Comparison with similar projects
| Comparison of characteristics of developed manned spacecraft () | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Federation | Orion | Dragon V2 | Starliner (CST-100) | Gaganyan | ||
| Developer | RSC Energia | Lockheed Martin | SpaceX | Boeing | CAST | ISRO | |
| Appearance |  |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Multitasking |
|
NOO | |||||
| Year of the first orbital unmanned launch |
2023
(Irtysh (Soyuz-5)) 2024 (Angara-A5B) 2027 or 2028 (Yenisei) |
2014 (Delta IV Heavy) 2020 (SLS) |
March 2, 2019 (Falcon 9) | planned August 2019 | planned 2019 (LM-5B or LM-7) | Dec. 2020 - 2021 | |
| Year of the first manned flight |
2024
(Irtysh (Soyuz-5)) 202? (Yenisei) |
2023 (SLS) | planned 2019 | planned end of 2019 | Dec. 2021 - 2022 | ||
| When flying to LEO | |||||||
| Crew, people | 4 or 5 or 6 | - | under contract with NASA - 4, + 1 tourist maximum - 7 |
under contract with NASA - 4, + 1 tourist maximum - 7 |
up to 6 people | 3 | |
| Launch weight, t | 14,4 | 12 | 14 | 14 | |||
| 0,5 | |||||||
| Payload weight of cargo version, t | 2 | 3,31 | |||||
| Up to 365 days | Up to 720 days | Up to 210 days | |||||
| Up to 30 days | Up to 1 week | Up to 60 hours | 7 | ||||
| Launch vehicle | LM-5B or LM-7 | GSLV Mk.III | |||||
| When flying to the Moon | |||||||
| Crew, people | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | 3-4 | - | |
| Launch weight, t | 20,0 | 25,0 | 20 | ||||
| Payload mass in manned flight, t | 0,1 | ||||||
| Flight duration within the station | Up to 180 days | ||||||
| Duration of autonomous flight | Up to 30 days | Up to 21.1 days | |||||
| Launch vehicle | |||||||
see also
Links
Notes
- Amos D. NASA has chosen a new ship for deep space flights (Russian). BBS (May 25, 2011). Retrieved May 25, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- Lockheed wins tender to replace Shuttles (Russian). BBS (August 31, 2006). Retrieved May 25, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- NASA Names Orion Contractor(English) . NASA (31 August 2006). Retrieved May 25, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- NASA Names New Crew Exploration Vehicle Orion (undefined) . NASA (August 22, 2006). Retrieved May 26, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- Paul Rincon. Nasa budget slashes Martian funds (undefined) . BBC News. BBC (13 February 2012). Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- Live coverage: Orion lands in Pacific
- ESA member states commit funding for Orion service module(English) . spaceflightnow.com (December 3, 2014). Retrieved December 5, 2014. Archived December 5, 2014.
- NASA announced successful testing of a rocket engine for future flights to Mars (undefined) . TASS (July 30, 2016). Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- Nikolay Vorontsov. The first launch of the super-heavy rocket SLS was postponed to 2019 (undefined) . nplus1.ru. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- Afanasyev, I. Long live Orion? // Cosmonautics News: Magazine. - 2011. - No. 10. - pp. 14-15. Archived November 17, 2011.
- Project Orion, Environmental Control and Life Support System Integrated Studies(English) . NASA (2008).
- Building Orion(English) . Aerospace America (November 2016).
- The Orion Spacecraft as a Key Element in a Deep Space Gateway(English) . Lockheed Martin (July 2017).
- Orion needs minor changes to dock with Russian spacecraft (undefined) . RIA Novosti (December 17, 2014). Retrieved January 2, 2015. Archived January 2, 2015.
- The rejected Orion spacecraft will be sent to an asteroid (Russian). Blogspot. Retrieved May 25, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- Barack Obama abandoned NASA's lunar program (undefined) . Lenta.ru (February 1, 2010). Retrieved May 26, 2011. Archived February 4, 2012.
- Barack Obama sets his sights on Mars (undefined) . BBC (16 April 2010). Retrieved May 26, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Test Article Splash Test(English) . NASA (July 13, 2011). Retrieved October 14, 2014. Archived October 14, 2014.
- Shuttle successors (undefined) . BBC Russia (20 July 2011). Retrieved July 21, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012. (Retrieved July 21, 2011)
- Testing NASA's Next Deep Space Vehicle(English) . NASA (July 21, 2011). Retrieved October 14, 2014. Archived October 14, 2014.
- Intensive testing of the Orion multi-role manned spacecraft prototype is underway. (undefined) . ARMS-TASS (August 22, 2011). Retrieved January 5, 2015.
- NASA Completes Orion Spacecraft Parachute Testing in Arizona(English) . NASA (September 27, 2011). Retrieved October 14, 2014. Archived October 14, 2014.
- New Orion spacecraft lands on two parachutes (Russian). Retrieved November 29, 2011. Archived February 16, 2012.
- NASA Conducts New Parachute Test for Orion (Russian). Retrieved May 1, 2012. Archived June 3, 2012.
- The first tests of the American Orion spacecraft for flights to Mars will take place in 2014 (undefined) (inaccessible link - story) .
- Europeans will begin making equipment for the Orion spacecraft by the end of the year // RIA
