Orion Underway Recovery Test 5 (URT-5)

A test version of the Orion crew module is guided into the well deck of the USS San Diego during Underway Recovery Test 5 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Tether lines have been attached to the crew module by U. S. Navy divers and other personnel in a rigid hull inflatable boat. NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and the U.S. Navy are practicing recovery techniques to prepare for recovery of Orion on its return from deep space missions. The testing will allow the team to demonstrate and evaluate recovery processes, procedures, hardware and personnel in open waters. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and NASA's Journey to Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion is scheduled to launch on NASA's Space Launch System in late 2018. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion.