1 00:00:00,459 --> 00:00:03,820 nstalling a critical system for our Orion spacecraft … 2 00:00:03,820 --> 00:00:06,850 The latest engine test for our Artemis Moon missions … 3 00:00:06,850 --> 00:00:11,650 And working to give spacecraft propulsion a boost … a few of the stories to tell you 4 00:00:11,650 --> 00:00:12,650 about – This Week at NASA! 5 00:00:12,650 --> 00:00:14,170 Teams Adding Orion’s Critical Launch Abort System for Artemis I 6 00:00:14,170 --> 00:00:18,499 Teams at our Kennedy Space Center moved the Orion spacecraft for our uncrewed Artemis 7 00:00:18,499 --> 00:00:23,130 I mission to the spaceport’s Launch Abort System Facility, to add parts of the launch 8 00:00:23,130 --> 00:00:25,630 abort system onto the spacecraft. 9 00:00:25,630 --> 00:00:29,880 This critical system is designed to safely jettison the crew away from the Space Launch 10 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:33,570 System or (SLS) rocket in an emergency during launch. 11 00:00:33,570 --> 00:00:34,690 RS-25 Rocket Engine Test Series Continues 12 00:00:34,690 --> 00:00:40,210 On July 14 we conducted an RS-25 engine hot fire test at our Stennis Space Center, the 13 00:00:40,210 --> 00:00:42,559 fifth test in a seven-part series. 14 00:00:42,559 --> 00:00:48,129 Four RS-25s will help power the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future Moon missions, 15 00:00:48,129 --> 00:00:51,170 including Artemis I targeted for later this year. 16 00:00:51,170 --> 00:00:57,989 Learn more about the current RS-25 engine test series at: nasa.gov/SLS. 17 00:00:57,989 --> 00:01:02,140 NASA has teamed with the Department of Energy (DOE) to advance space nuclear technologies 18 00:01:02,140 --> 00:01:08,140 – selecting reactor design concept proposals from three companies for a nuclear thermal 19 00:01:08,140 --> 00:01:10,080 propulsion system. 20 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:14,590 Nuclear propulsion is more efficient than chemical rockets, and could potentially enable 21 00:01:14,590 --> 00:01:19,830 faster and more robust crew and cargo missions to Mars and science missions to the outer 22 00:01:19,830 --> 00:01:21,810 solar system. 23 00:01:21,810 --> 00:01:26,870 Astronaut and former U.S. Marine Col. Doug Hurley retired from NASA after 21 years of 24 00:01:26,870 --> 00:01:27,870 service. 25 00:01:27,870 --> 00:01:32,509 His career highlights include 93 days in space and flights aboard the final space shuttle 26 00:01:32,509 --> 00:01:37,840 mission in July 2011, and most recently, as commander on the first crewed flight of the 27 00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:40,360 SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. 28 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:45,829 That mission marked a new era of human spaceflight, enabling crewed launches from America on commercial 29 00:01:45,829 --> 00:01:49,340 spacecraft to the International Space Station. 30 00:01:49,340 --> 00:01:54,659 On July 13, the last S-3B Viking aircraft flying today anywhere in the world left our 31 00:01:54,659 --> 00:01:56,369 Glenn Research Center. 32 00:01:56,369 --> 00:02:02,159 The aircraft has been a research workhorse for over 16 years, flying a variety of missions, 33 00:02:02,159 --> 00:02:06,789 including flights to help define communications standards that could enable future unmanned 34 00:02:06,789 --> 00:02:10,720 aircraft systems to safely operate in the U.S. airspace. 35 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:15,300 The S-3B Viking will spend its retirement on exhibit at the San Diego Air and Space 36 00:02:15,300 --> 00:02:16,720 Museum. 37 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:22,530 When our Lucy spacecraft launches on a first-of-its-kind-mission to visit the Trojan asteroids which share 38 00:02:22,530 --> 00:02:28,200 an orbit with Jupiter, it will carry a time capsule in the form of a plaque with messages 39 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,970 of advice, wisdom, joy, and inspiration for those who might encounter the spacecraft in 40 00:02:33,970 --> 00:02:35,090 the distant future. 41 00:02:35,090 --> 00:02:40,220 The messages were solicited from thoughtful leaders and inspirational figures, including 42 00:02:40,220 --> 00:02:45,760 members of the Beatles, whose song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” indirectly inspired 43 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:46,760 the mission’s name. 44 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:56,430 “(Cymbal crash) A little noisy, but I’m so excited. 45 00:02:56,430 --> 00:02:59,260 Lucy is going back in the sky with diamonds. 46 00:02:59,260 --> 00:03:04,209 If you meet anyone up there Lucy, give them peace and love from me.” 47 00:03:04,209 --> 00:03:09,750 After Lucy finishes visiting a record number of asteroids for a single mission in 2033, 48 00:03:09,750 --> 00:03:14,760 it will continue on a stable orbit—travelling between Earth and the Trojan asteroids for 49 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:18,320 hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years. 50 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,770 Learn more at nasa.gov/lucy.