Houston We Have a Podcast Artemis II: The Orion Spacecraft
Aug 22, 2025
Chris Edelen, the Acting Orion Program Manager, shares his journey from a childhood dream of space exploration to leading the Artemis II mission. He discusses the Orion spacecraft's crucial role in sending astronauts around the Moon. The conversation dives into the advanced technology behind the mission, the collaboration needed for successful launches, and insights gained from the Artemis I mission. Edelen highlights innovative systems for crew safety and the integration efforts that ensure a seamless operation for this groundbreaking lunar endeavor.
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Early Apollo Sparked A Career
- Chris Edelen grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, watched Apollo on TV, and was inspired to pursue aerospace and aviation.
- He got a co-op at NASA Langley at 19 and later moved to Johnson Space Center to work shuttle operations.
From FIDO To Flight Director
- Chris worked as a FIDO in mission control and supported about 34 shuttle missions guiding rendezvous and landings.
- He later became a flight director and supported ISS operations for 14 years before joining Orion.
Vehicle Integration Is The System Of Systems
- Vehicle Integration (VIO) totals all subsystem constraints to define what missions Orion can perform and for how long.
- VIO also handles systems engineering, requirements verification, waivers, and GN&C algorithms for navigation and control.