Space Shuttle thrusters

Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System on NASA's Space Shuttle. These engines will be reused on ESA's service module for the Orion spacecraft.

Once the Orion spacecraft has escaped the clutches of Earth’s gravity, it will rely on the engines of ESA’s service module to navigate and orient itself in space.

A total of 33 engines of three types provide thrust to manoeuvre the spacecraft on all axes.

The main engine on the first mission is a repurposed Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System engine that has flown in space before.

This engine provides 25.7 kN, enough to lift a van, and can swivel in pitch and yaw.