NASAโs Orion spacecraft suffers hardware failure that could add months to timeline
A recently discovered fault in the agencyโs Orion capsule has engineers troubleshooting solutions that could impact the timing of its test flight, currently scheduled for liftoff from Kennedy Space Center next November. Though the PDU itself still works, what is essentially part of its backup system is out of the picture. The three-week test will see the 16-foot-diameter capsule launch on SLS, orbit the moon for six days, then return for splashdown off the California coast. In its July report, the OIG said continuing to produce Orion capsules for all Artemis missions before certain milestones are complete, like Artemis I, poses serious risks. Last monthโs discovery of the PDU issue appears to reinforce their position.
NASA report says it has big economic impact on Florida
On Friday, the agency released its first-ever agency wide economic impact report. According to the report, 43 states receive an economic impact of more than $10 million. Of those 43 states, eight have an economic impact of $1 billion or more, reports News 6 partner Florida Today. In Florida, NASAโs economic output was $5.9 billion. โWith an investment of just one-half of 1% of the federal budget, NASA generates significant total economic output annually.