Why didn't Orion land in Atlantic?

[jebartle]

I've googled and can't find answer to this question.... Seems obvious that splash down in Atlantic would eliminate transportation to Florida.. Also, Why after 50 years, are we still "splashing down", ?? Technology hasn't caught up with this option?

[bkcunningham1]

This doesn't answer your questions directly, but is educational and may help your curiosity. It explains the temperature of the capsule when it enters the earth's atmosphere and how precise the entry must be.

An airbag type system was being tested for Orion but the weight of the system caused NASA to go back to the water splashdown. I'm trying to find an article about this.

Weather and hurricane season in the Atlantic determines the location of the splashdown. The Pacific Ocean is calmer too.



NASA to Take Images of Orion Flight Test Splashdown | NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/larc/nasa-to-take-images-of-orion-flight-test-splashdown/#.VIbidO1hKfQ)

Orion Testing Provides Lessons And Data For Splashdown Recovery Operations | NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/content/orion-testing-provides-lessons-and-data-for-splashdown-recovery-operations/#.VIbk7-1hKfQ)

[jebartle]

Thanks bk....I did not realize Pacific was calmer...



This doesn't answer your questions directly, but is educational and may help your curiosity. It explains the temperature of the capsule when it enters the earth's atmosphere and how precise the entry must be.

An airbag type system was being tested for Orion but the weight of the system caused NASA to go back to the water splashdown. I'm trying to find an article about this.

Weather and hurricane season in the Atlantic determines the location of the splashdown. The Pacific Ocean is calmer too.



NASA to Take Images of Orion Flight Test Splashdown | NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/larc/nasa-to-take-images-of-orion-flight-test-splashdown/#.VIbidO1hKfQ)

Orion Testing Provides Lessons And Data For Splashdown Recovery Operations | NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/content/orion-testing-provides-lessons-and-data-for-splashdown-recovery-operations/#.VIbk7-1hKfQ)

[Chi-Town]

Technology may eventually reduce splashdowns. Check out this SpaceX video:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xh9wCq-RJ8U

[jebartle]

That is super cool! Thanks Chi!




Technology may eventually reduce splashdowns. Check out this SpaceX video:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xh9wCq-RJ8U