In the 1960's U.S. Government laboratories, under Project Orion, investigated a pulsed nuclear fission propulsion system. Based on Project Orion, an interplanetary vehicle using pulsed fission propulsion would incorporate modern technologies for momentum transfer, thermal management, and habitation design.

In the 1960's U.S. Government laboratories, under Project Orion, investigated a pulsed nuclear fission propulsion system. Small nuclear pulse units would be sequentially discharged from the aft end of the vehicle. A blast shield and shock absorber system would protect the crew and convert the shock loads into a continuous propulsive force.

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

Orion Project SPLASH BTA Water Impact POT Boiler Plate Test Article (BTA) (SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew. (POT) Phase "0" Test Water Impact Test #3

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-PIT Test-2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test POT#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pit Phase 4 Test or Pit 4 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test POT#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test POT#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pit Phase 4 Test or Pit 4 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-PIT Test-2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pit Phase 4 Test or Pit 4 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test POT#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test POT#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-PIT Test-2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-Pot Phase"0" Test Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-P1T#2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)

ORION Project-(SPLASH) Structural Passive Landing Attenuation for Survivability of Human Crew (BTA) Boiler Plate Test Article Water Impact Test-PIT Test-2 Tested at the Hydro Impact Basin at the Landing and Impact Research Facility (Gantry)