Part of the United States' next spacecraft, the Orion, is on display in Tallahassee at the Challenger Learning Center in Kleman Plaza this weekend.
Orion's multipurpose crew vehicle (MPCV) resembles a space pod out of science fiction, and is designed to help transport astronauts into low Earth orbit as well as into deep space.
Originally part of the defunct Constellation program to build a heavy-lift rocket to replace the retiring space shuttle, the Orion project was culled out of the program after President Barack Obama closed it over concerns of cost overruns.
NASA astronauts Jeff Williams and Charles Hobaugh admitted the U.S. space program is poised for a rocky transition period, with the last shuttle mission two weeks away. But they said they're excited about Orion's potential.
"We're in an era right now where we're transitioning between spacecraft, and that's always kind of a tough time." said Hobaugh, a 15-year NASA veteran with three shuttle missions under his belt. "What is great to see is the next generation of vehicle being created."
The shuttle's demise, Williams said, will be sad for many, but it has served its purpose, as the International Space Station is nearly complete. The first unmanned test flight of Orion is planned for 2013, and a manned flight is not envisioned until 2016. The ISS, though, will aid Orion's missions, as NASA sets its sights on heading to the moon, and eventually, Mars.
"We at NASA are trying to take the next step outside of low Earth orbit, and go on to the moon, maybe to an asteroid, with the ultimate goal of going to Mars," Hobaugh said.
Lockheed Martin was the main contractor for the Orion project, with hundreds of subcontractors in several states -- including four in Florida -- aiding the manufacture of the spacecraft.
While NASA may be setting its sights on the lofty goals of the moon, Mars and beyond, some of its workers are likely to have more immediate concerns. Thousands of jobs directly and indirectly related to the shuttle missions have already been eliminated, and the fallout is likely to continue in the near-term.
The Space Coast metro area of Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville posted the largest loss of jobs among Florida metros in May, with 6,800 jobs shed in the past 12 months.
Yet, some officials are hoping Orion and its missions will come online in time to save many of the high-skill, high-wage jobs a vibrant space program needs.
"We're hoping we can use quite a few folks over there," said Dave McCallister, Orion operations manager. "My fear is that we lose really good people and we never get them back."
Click here for a brief Snap video of astronauts explaining to the crowd Friday what's ahead for NASA.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
