To Infinity and Beyond

After watching the hit series "For All Mankind," I can't help but reflect on my time working with NASA on the Orion space capsule. As a member of the Naval Special Operations Forces (NSOF), I was honored to oversee the capsule's recovery during its proof of concept test in 2014. The NSOF's support of the Orion program has already been demonstrated with the first recovery operations of the Orion space capsule, which were overseen by an NSOF commander. At the time, I served with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ELEVEN and oversaw the NSOF special operations personnel from the USS San Diego. The recovery mission was a proof of concept, demonstrating the Navy's ability to safely recover the Orion capsule in an emergency.

The Orion space capsule, with the support of the United States Navy's Naval Special Operations Forces (NSOF), is the latest addition to a long history of space exploration, dating back to the 1960s with the Apollo missions.

The Apollo missions were a series of spaceflights undertaken by NASA between 1969 and 1972, which resulted in 12 astronauts walking on the moon's surface. These missions were groundbreaking and represented a significant achievement in human space exploration. However, after the final mission, Apollo 17, in 1972, there was a more than 50 years hiatus in human lunar exploration.

This hiatus was not due to a lack of interest or ambition but rather to a lack of funding and political will. However, in 2010, President Obama announced the goal of returning humans to the moon by 2020, igniting a renewed interest in lunar exploration. While the goal was not achieved by 2020, the target date for the next moon landing is 2024 as part of the Artemis program, with the Orion capsule playing a critical role in that effort.

The Orion capsule is a critical component of the Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024. The Orion capsule is designed to take humans beyond low Earth orbit and facilitate long-duration spaceflight, including missions to the moon, asteroids, and Mars. It will be the primary crew vehicle for these missions, capable of carrying up to four astronauts on each mission.

However, sending a spacecraft into space and safely bringing it back to Earth is challenging. That's where the Naval Special Operations Forces (NSOF) come in. NSOF comprises highly trained Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators and Navy Divers who work closely with NASA to support the recovery of the Orion capsule.

The NSOF brings unique skills to the program, including expertise in handling explosive devices, underwater search and recovery, and ship-to-ship transfers. These skills are crucial in the safe recovery of the capsule and its crew.

The NSOF divers and EOD teams are responsible for training and practicing a range of scenarios at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, which simulates the weightlessness and pressure of space to ensure they are prepared for any potential issues during the recovery mission. Their experience and expertise make them the perfect fit for the Orion program.

The history of the Apollo missions serves as a reminder of the incredible achievements that can be made when government agencies work together. The Apollo missions were about exploring space and showcasing the capabilities of the United States as a nation. The missions were a testament to the power of innovation, technology, and teamwork.

In the same way, the Orion program and the NSOF's support showcase the United States continued commitment to space exploration and demonstrate the importance of collaboration between government agencies to achieve ambitious space exploration goals.

Looking to the future, the Orion program represents a stepping stone to even more ambitious space exploration efforts. The program is part of NASA's broader goals to explore the solar system and beyond. The NSOF's continued support will be crucial to achieving these goals, highlighting the important role that the Navy plays in supporting scientific discovery and innovation.n conclusion, the Orion space capsule is the latest addition to the long history of space exploration, with roots in the groundbreaking Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s. With the support of the NSOF, the Orion program represents the next chapter in human space exploration, with ambitions to return humans to the moon and beyond. The NSOF's specialized skills in explosive ordnance disposal and diving operations make them a critical component of the program, ensuring the safe recovery of the Orion capsule and its crew.