Orion Underway Recovery Test 5 (URT-5)

The USS San Diego approaches Naval Base San Diego in California after completion of Underway Recovery Test 5 in the Pacific Ocean. NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and the U.S. Navy conducted a series of tests using the ship's well deck and a test version of the Orion crew module to prepare for recovery of Orion on its return from deep space missions. The testing allowed the team to demonstrate and evaluate recovery processes, procedures, hardware and personnel in open waters. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans, including an asteroid and NASA's Journey to Mars. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion is scheduled to launch on NASA's Space Launch System in late 2018. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion.