EFT-1 Service Module

A test model of the Orion Service Module that will keep astronauts alive on missions to the Moon and beyond.

NASA is planning the first test flight of the Orion capsule this year to verify the habitable module can withstand reentry into Earth’s atmosphere amongst other tests. The service module is not a part of this flight as the Delta IV rocket used to launch the test model will propel it into an elliptical orbit, sending the crew module up to fall back to Earth under its own accord.

During its brief time in space all propulsive needs of this test model will be provided either by the Delta IV upper stage or by the habitable module itself. It will not need to supply life-support– the test flight is unmanned. A working service module is not required for this test and

NASA is planning the first test flight this year to verify the habitable module can withstand reentry into Earth’s atmosphere amongst other tests. The service module is not a part of this flight as the Delta IV rocket used to launch this test model will propel it into an elliptical orbit, sending the crew module up to fall back to Earth under its own accord.

During its brief time in space all propulsive needs of this test model will be provided either by the Delta IV upper stage or by the habitable module itself. It will not need to supply life-support– the test flight is unmanned. A working service module is not required for this test so instead NASA contractor Lockheed Martin built an adapter derived from the structural design of the service module to attach the Orion test model to its launcher.