Aerospace

NASA Orders Three More Orion Spacecraft From Lockheed Martin

NASA Orders Three More Orion Spacecraft From Lockheed Martin.

Now that Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has a contract to provide NASA with three Orion spacecraft for its Artemis VI–VIII missions, the agency can continue to get exploration vehicles to help with the Artemis programme by sending astronauts into deep space and around the Moon.

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It is a privilege for Lockheed Martin to work with NASA to provide Orion spacecraft for the Artemis missions. This contract, which extends into the 2030s, includes spacecraft, mission planning, and support, according to Lisa Callahan, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Commercial Civil Space division. “This contract demonstrates NASA is making long-term planning toward living and working on the Moon, while still having a forward emphasis on getting humans to Mars,” the statement reads. “We’re on the eve of a historic launch starting off the Artemis era.

As a result of OPOC, Lockheed Martin and NASA were able to build Orion vehicles for Artemis III through Artemis V at a 50% lower cost per unit than those constructed during the design and development stage. An additional 30% of the cost will be cut from the vehicles made for Artemis VI, VII, and VIII.

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Additionally, the company will reduce the cost of these production vehicles through bulk supplier purchases of materials and components as well as a quicker mission cadence.

Two additional Orion spacecraft, Artemis II and III, are being assembled at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida beside Artemis I, which is now perched on the Space Launch System rocket. Work on the Artemis IV craft is well under way, with the pressure vessel being joined at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Site close to New Orleans and the heat shield at a Lockheed Martin facility close to Denver. Work on the Artemis V vehicle has also already started.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.