Orion EM-1 Spacecraft Adapter Cone Assembly, Michoud Facility

The Spacecraft Adapter Cone for NASA’s Orion Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) undergoes assembly at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. This conical structure is engineered to connect the Orion crew and service modules to the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, housing essential components like separation hardware and wiring harnesses. Constructed from reinforced aluminum, it features thermal protection areas, structural attachment brackets, and integrated circuitry for communication and control. EM-1, later designated Artemis I, served as a crucial uncrewed test flight to assess Orion’s deep-space capabilities, paving the way for future crewed lunar missions. Related photographs from the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where NASA’s Space Launch System core stages are assembled for Artemis missions.