Aeronautics and Astronautics to host Orion launch watch party
December 1, 2014
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The public is invited to a watch party for the launch of NASA's Orion spacecraft Thursday (Dec. 4).
The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics will host the watch party beginning at 4:30 a.m. in Kurz Atrium of Armstrong Hall. The launch is expected at 7:05 a.m. Coffee and pastries will be provided.
NASA's Orion spacecraft is designed to propel man beyond Earth's sphere of influence to asteroids and ultimately Mars. But first, the vehicle must undergo rigorous tests to ensure crew safety and prove its performance capabilities.
During Thursday's launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, a Delta IV heavy rocket will lift the Orion capsule into orbit for a four-hour flight, where it will complete two revolutions before reentering Earth's atmosphere. This mission will allow NASA to evaluate launch and high-speed reentry systems such as avionics, attitude control, parachutes and the heat shield.
The watch party will include viewing of NASA's pre-launch program featuring updates from the launch team, flight control team and the vehicle recovery team.
More information about the Orion launch is available at http://www.nasa.gov/orion/#.VHu_-jHF8WI
More information about the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics is available at https://www.facebook.com/PurdueAeroAstro
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Source: Jennifer Merzdorf, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics marketing and communication administrator, 765-496-0291, jmerzdo@purdue.edu
