Mock Orion Capsule
At the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colorado, scientists and engineers are working on the software and computer hardware that will operate on NASA's Orion spacecraft. It's one of several space projects underway at Lockheed and we got a tour of the facility. Check out our photos inside Lockheed Martin's space projects site. HERE: The front end of a mock Orion capsule at the Lockheed Martin facility. The company is currently conducting tests for Orion's Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), when the spacecraft will fly (with no humans aboard) on a test flight around the moon.
Front of Mock Orion Capsule
The front end of a mock Orion capsule at the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colorado.
Orbiting Lunar Habitat
Another project Lockheed Martin is working on: an orbiting lunar habitat that would support four astronauts for 30 to 60 days. The company is in the early stages of researching such a habitat. Shown here, a mock up of the habitat.
Orbiting Lunar Habitat Mock-Up Interior
Inside the orbiting lunar habitat mock-up built by Lockheed Martin. The hatch on the left would lead into the Orion spacecraft cockpit. The blue thing on the right is a sleeping bag. Food and other supplies would line the walls of the habitat.
Orbiting Lunar Habitat, Left
Inside the orbiting lunar habitat. Lockheed Martin is in the early stages of researching and designing such a habitat. The hatch on the right would lead into the Orion spacecraft cockpit.
OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft at Lockheed Martin
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, built at Lockheed Martin's Littleton, Colorado campus, will collect a sample from asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth. The spacecraft is kept in a clean room to reduce the risk of contaminating the asteroid sample with material from Earth.
OSIRIS-REx in the Clean Room
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in the clean room at the Lockheed Martin facility. The spacecraft (with the silver cap) is set to launch in September.
Lockheed Martin Facility in Littleton, Colorado
The Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colorado, is nestled up against a small mountain range.
View from the Lockheed Martin Facility
Looking down the mountain from the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colorado.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
