Orion European Service Module Development Status and NASA/ESA Cooperation

摘要

The Orion Programme is the logical attempt after the Apollo programme to send humans into cis-lunar space and beyond. The Orion interplanetary spaceship will be launched on top of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the world most powerful rocket. Its deep space crew capsule will be equipped with a long-duration life support, deep space communication and navigation, and a safe Earth re-entry system. The Orions's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) accommodates a crew of up to four astronauts. One main module of the the MPCV is the Service Module, developed by the European Space Agency and its industry in cooperation with NASA. The Service Module provides the propulsive support, the power generation and distribution, the active thermal control for the crew module and accommodates the consumable storage system for water and gas.