A full-size model of a privately developed lunar lander has been sent to the U.S. for testing and testing. The space agency has arrived at NASA.
This model doll, also known as mock-up, is at a height of more than 12 meters. This design represents one of three lunar landers being developed for NASA by three different companies.
The mock-up was recently sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It was built by Blue Origin, a Washington state-based space flight company.
NASA announced earlier this year that it had selected three American businesses for the development, construction and flight of future lunar landers. Mission On the moon. The other two companies are SpaceX of California and Dynamics of Alabama.
SpaceX made history in May by launching two astronauts into space in a spacecraft built and operated by the company for NASA. It was the first time astronauts had landed on American soil since the last space shuttle flight in 2011.
Together, NASA has agreed to pay the three companies $ 967 million for the design and development of a human landing system for its Artemis program. Artemis’ goal is to return astronauts to the moon by 2024, NASA officials say.
The space agency’s next goal is to establish a long-term base on the moon by 2028. From there, NASA says it hopes to launch a series of space operations, including a mission to Mars.
The Blue Origin model is not a working version of the Lender. But it does not include complete elements designed to give NASA engineers an up-close look at the landing system.
One of the main goals of the mock-up operation is to test how the lunar lander crew, equipment and supplies can effectively turn the vehicle on and off, Blue Origin said in a statement. There will also be an opportunity for astronauts to inspect and provide equipment Feedback On design.
Blue Origin formed a “national team” with other companies to work on the lunar lander project. The team includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper.
The system is based on three main parts: Ascent Element, Descent Element and Transfer Element.
Lockheed Martin is forming the Ascent Element, where the crew will be housed during lunar missions. The Descent Element, developed by Blue Origin, will take astronauts to the lunar surface. The transfer element designed by Northrop Gruman connects to the lander and will guide the crew through lunar orbit in preparation for the landing.
National team leaders say they decided to make three lenders Ingredients To accelerate the design and development process. Blue Origin said the method allows the team to independently develop and test individual elements, without affecting the entire system.
Both the Ascent Element and the Descent Element were sent to NASA for examination and testing.
Brent Sherwood is vice president of Advanced Development Programs for Blue Origin. “Testing this engineering mock-up for crew interaction is a step towards realizing this historic mission,” he said in a statement.
He noted the importance of gaining NASA’s expertise and feedback on the creation of Blue Origin as early as possible to help improve overall development progress. “The education we get Full scale There is no other way to do mock ups, ”Sherwood added.
I’m Brian Lynn.
Based on Brian Lee’s Blue Origin and NASA reports, V.O.A. This story is written for Learning English. Katie Weaver was the editor.
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The words in this story
Mission – N. An important task, which usually involves traveling somewhere
Feedback – N. Supporting information or criticism that is given to tell someone what can be done to improve performance or product
Ingredient – N. No one part, especially the machine
Full scale – Adjective Too big or serious and to include everything possible or expected
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