Orion space capsule to finish testing in Yuma

Throughout this week, NASA is conducting a series of tests on the Orion space capsule one last time in the Yuma area.

The tests are to evaluate the parachutes to be used on the capsule.

Back in 2006, NASA came to Yuma to begin testing the Orion space capsule.

Yuma Proving Grounds was the stepping stone to this new era of exploration for NASA.

Three years later, NASA and Jacobs technology built a hangar near Yuma Airport to continue testing.

The weather and large open spaces make Yuma the perfect place to test the Orion.

Orion’s parachute system consists of 11 parachutes.

When deployed at a speed of 130 mph, the parachutes allow the crew module to slow to a landing speed of 17 mph.

Earth’s atmosphere naturally slows the spacecraft down from 20,000 mph to 325 mph.

However parachutes ensure an even safer landing speed of 20 mph or less.

All three of Orion’s main parachutes are so large, they would be able to cover a football field from 10 yard line to 10 yard line.

These parachutes must be big and strong enough to withstand high heat and other factors.

Orion weighs in at over 20,000 pounds which makes it even more important to test the parachutes multiple times.

The tests allow analysts to evaluate parachute performance during normal landing sequences.

It is also important that they practice several failure scenarios to ensure astronauts can return safely from deep space missions.