RoundupReads C2M: Planes (but no trains) and a test article

C2M: Planes (but no trains) and a test article

2018-03-07
With two recent opportunities to Connect to the Mission (C2M), JSC 2.0 style, NASA’s Johnson Space Center was serious about putting some of its most stunning and high-impact hardware out for show-and-tell.

Aircraft Operations Directorate Open House
The first Connect to the Mission event kicked off on March 2 with an Aircraft Operations Division (AOD) Open House. The Johnson team, many who had not yet had the chance to see the majestic planes that support human spaceflight (as well as corresponding hardware, even drones), came out in droves to do their own mock test flights in the seat of a NASA T-38 trainer jet. Other aeronautical eye candy included the Gulfstream and WB-57 high-altitude aircraft. AOD team members were also on hand to chat about their areas of expertise, showcase the hardware and talk flight.

Up close and personal with the planes making spaceflight possible at the Aircraft Operations Division Open House. Image Credit: NASA/Norah Moran
Up close and personal with the planes making spaceflight possible at the Aircraft Operations Division Open House. Image Credit: NASA/Norah Moran

Ascent Abort-2 Arrival at Johnson
Also on March 2 was the arrival of the highly anticipated Orion crew module test article to Building 9S’s revamped high bay. This essential element will take part in the Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) test flight in spring 2019. But, before it takes off there, it will undergo critical work at Johnson, touching as many as 100 different people while getting outfitted with necessary parts and software.

Ascent Abort-2 C2M Event
Days later, Johnson invited the entire team to get up close to the crew module and assemble for a group photo commemorating this critical milestone—one milestone of many before Orion hurtles into deep space.

AA-2 360-degree group photo
Click on the image above to see a cool, 360-degree view of the AA-2 group photo. Image Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz, Josh Valcarcel and James Blair

AA-2 group photo
Image Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz, Josh Valcarcel and James Blair

Enjoy images from that March 5 Connect to the Mission gathering below, as well as a bigger gallery underneath containing images from both events.

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