What Is Orion? (Grades 5-8)

This article is for students grades 5-8.

Orion /o-rie-un/ is a NASA spacecraft that carries astronauts during Artemis missions to the Moon

What Does Orion Do?

Orion is designed to carry up to four astronauts into deep space and then return them safely to Earth. Artemis astronauts will travel to lunar orbit in Orion. On future missions that involve landing on the lunar surface, Orion will dock with Gateway, a new spacecraft that will orbit the Moon.

Orion will take astronauts farther than they have ever gone. Orion will:

• Carry the crew safely to space.
• Serve as a home while the crew is traveling.
• Allow the crew to return to Earth safely from speeds as fast as 25,000 miles per hour.
• Be a “lifeboat” if the crew has to return to Earth in an emergency.

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deep space: the vast region of space that extends beyond the Moon and across the solar system

jettison: to drop from an aircraft or spacecraft in flight

propulsion: the force that pushes forward or drives an object forward

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Components of the Orion spacecraft.

What Are the Parts of Orion?

Orion has three main parts:

The Space Launch System, or SLS, will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments.

How Does Orion Launch and Land?**

Orion launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It rides atop NASA’s heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). After traveling through most of Earth’s atmosphere safely, the LAS is jettisoned. The crew module and service module remain together throughout the mission to the Moon and back.

During Orion’s return to Earth, the crew module separates from the service module. The crew module turns its heat shield toward Earth and begins entry. The capsule is traveling nearly 25,000 miles per hour when it reaches Earth. Friction with Earth’s atmosphere begins to slow the capsule and creates extreme temperatures up to around 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. After a fiery re-entry through Earth’s upper atmosphere, parachutes slow Orion down even more for a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California.

An illustration of Artemis 1’s Orion spacecraft traveling through space.

Has Orion Flown Yet?

Orion has flown on two test flights. There were no astronauts on these flights.

The first flight was in 2014 and tested Orion in orbit around Earth. The second test flight was the Artemis I mission in 2022. This was the first test of the Orion spacecraft and the SLS rocket together. During Artemis I, Orion successfully orbited the Moon and returned to Earth.

Artemis II crew members (from left) CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman walk out of Astronaut Crew Quarters inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the Artemis crew transportation vehicles prior to traveling to Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to test the crew timeline for launch day. NASA/Kim Shiflett

**What’s Next for Orion?

In early 2026, Orion will launch on the Artemis II mission. This will be the first Artemis mission with a crew. Four astronauts will spend 10 days testing the Orion spacecraft. Their mission will take them around the Moon and back. The flight will be the farthest humans have ever traveled into space.

Technicians with NASA and Lockheed Martin operate a 30-ton crane to move NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft out of the Final Assembly and System Testing cell inside the Neil A. Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA/Cory S Huston

Career Corner

Are you interested in a career that is related to space vehicles like Orion? Many different types of jobs make crewed spaceflight possible. Here are a few examples:

Manufacturing Engineer: Thousands of pieces and parts come together to build complex spacecraft like Orion. Manufacturing engineers fabricate the different pieces. They must follow precise instructions and measurements. This career requires trade school training or a college degree.

Radiation Scientist: When Artemis astronauts travel to the Moon, they will be exposed to increased levels of space radiation. This can lead to health problems. Radiation scientists study how space radiation affects the human body. This helps them find ways to protect astronauts on deep space missions. This career requires a good understanding of biology and physics.

Human Factors Engineer: Spending long periods of time in a small spacecraft can take a toll on astronauts. Human factors engineers design and test systems and equipment to make sure astronauts stay safe and comfortable. This includes things like making sure control panels are easy to use. This career includes tasks relating to engineering and psychology.

More About Orion

Orion Quick Facts (PDF)
Orion Crew Vehicle
What Is the Artemis Program?
What Is the Space Launch System?
Infographic: Orion—Designed for Deep Space

ReadWhat Is Orion? (Grades K-4)

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