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Arizona Science Desk

Reporting on science, technology and innovation in Arizona and the Southwest through a collaboration from Arizona NPR member stations. This project is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Additional stories from the Arizona Science Desk are posted at our collaborating station, KJZZ: http://kjzz.org/science

Slideshow: NASA Orion parachute test at Yuma Proving Ground

KAWC

Published August 27, 2015 at 11:57 AM MST

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Engineers prepare to test the parachute system for NASA’s Orion spacecraft at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona.";

NASA

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The mock Orion capsule is approximately the same weight as the version that will fly in deep space.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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The Orion team ready the pathway to release the mock capsule more than six and a half miles above the desert landing site.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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Michele Parker, NASA engineer and the team leader for the parachute test, exits the C-17 aircraft.

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A helicopter flies Orion team members to the test landing site.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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NASA astronaut Victor Glover speaks to journalists near the drop zone. He completed his two-year astronaut training on July 8, 2015 and hopes to fly as an Orion crew member.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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NASA engineer Michele Parker (foreground, far right) and astronauts Doug Wheelock (second from the right) and Victor Glover (second from the left) watch the Orion test landing.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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The mock Orion capsule falls with two main parachutes. The test team intentionally rigged one main parachute and another stabilizing parachute to fail.

NASA

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The sled that carried the test version of Orion out of the aircraft lands near the mock capsule.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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The ground team checks the test capsule after landing. The vehicle rolled over after striking the desert ground.

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

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Foam panels from the exterior of the mock Orion broke off during landing, which NASA said is expected during parachute tests..

Amanda Solliday-KAWC

NASA tested the parachute system of the Orion spacecraft using a mock capsule at the Yuma Proving Ground on Aug. 26, 2015. The 11-parachute system will slow the vehicle during the last phase of descent after a mission, ensuring astronauts can land safely.

Read more about the test here: http://kawc.org/post/nasa-orion-mission-one-step-closer-manned-flight