Reporters are invited to attend a water impact test of an 18,000-pound Orion test article at NASA’s Langley Research Center’s Hydro Impact Basin in Hampton, Va., on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Journalists must arrive by 1:30 p.m. EDT at the NASA Langley main gate. The test will occur between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Due to the nature of the testing; an exact drop time cannot be given. Journalists also will have the opportunity to interview subject matter experts and take a tour of the facility prior to the test. If the drop test date changes due to weather or technical reasons, NASA will issue an advisory to journalists of the change.
Testing began this summer at Langley at the Hydro Impact Basin to certify the Orion spacecraft for water landings. The Orion will carry astronauts into space, providing emergency abort capability, sustaining the crew during space travel, and ensuring safe re-entry and landing.
The Hydro Impact Basin is 115 feet long, 90 feet wide and 20 feet deep. It is located at the west end of Langley’s historic Landing and Impact Research Facility, or Gantry, where Apollo astronauts trained for moon walks.
To ensure access and badging, reporters must contact Amy Johnson by phone at 757-272-9859 or by email at amy.johnson@nasa.gov by 4 p.m. on Wednesday. To attend the tour, journalists must have their organization identification and wear proper attire, which includes closed-toe shoes.
For video and still imagery that documents ground breaking of the Hydro Impact Basin through various stages of Orion testing, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/exploration/hib.html
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov
