180316 NASA QUICKLOOK 019

NASA successfully tested the Orion spacecraft’s parachute system on March 16, 2018 at the U.S. Army Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona. It was the first time engineers intentionally failed one of the system’s three Forward Bay Cover parachutes. The Forward Bay Cover protects the upper part of Orion throughout its mission, but must be jettisoned during landing so the rest of Orion’s parachutes can deploy. Engineers are nearing completion of the series of tests to qualify the parachute system for flights with crew.