Orion Program Update: Artemis I Recovery Test Completed

NASA and the US Navy have completed a capsule recovery test, Underway Recovery Test - 8, in the Pacific Ocean in preparation for NASA's Artemis I Mission.Helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) and the USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) supported the first full mission profile test.The Landing and Recovery Team successfully met their objectives, NASA said.*
The Artemis I Mission is a fully integrated flight test of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Systems, including the Orion spacecraft; Space Launch System rocket; backed by the upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.The recovery test furthered NASA's goal of assuring a safe crew module entry, descent,spashdown and recovery at the conclusion of Artemis I.*
HSC-23, the "Wildcards", are based at NAS North Island,San Diego.They fly the MH-60 helicopter and MQ-8B Firescout VTUAV.The USS John P. Murtha is a San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock ship homeported at Naval Base San Diego.*
NASA's critical missions,such as Artemis I and the James Webb Space Telescope, are being safeguarded during the COVID-19 crisis to minimise disruption.Certain personnel have reportedly been moved to remote locations to help ensure the missions remain on course.*
Artemis I is slated for launch in the second half of 2021.*