SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – It’s been a week since four astronauts blasted off on NASA’s 10-day Artemis II mission on April 1, and Michiana businesses, especially manufacturers, are helping to power NASA’s Artemis program.
Throughout their mission to the moon, the Orion spacecraft has become a technical home for four astronauts.
A senior technical specialist at IFT Worldwide, a Michiana-based metal finishing company, says the primary structure that makes up that spacecraft was once in South Bend and was inspected by the company before the spacecraft was assembled.
“Most of the people in our company, that’s the most exciting part, to see there’s human life, you know, in the, we actually were hands-on with the actual shuttle, the capsule, the Orion capsule. We did all the components, or most of the components that built the capsule,” said Brian Mack, a senior technical application specialist for IFT worldwide.
Mack says their team uses a liquid penetrating process, essentially flooding parts with dye to reveal any cracks or flaws that could compromise safety.
“If there’s any kind of crack, flaw, indication, or corrosion, it will stay in, inside those cracks. So, when you wash it off, it will still be inside the crack. Then, then when you do your inspection, it will be visible to the eye,” Mack said.
Mack says the Artemis II mission is about more than one flight; it’s about what comes next.
“It’s been really exciting to think that not only are they going to the Moon, but they’re gonna go farther, and farther, and farther, to Mars, eventually. So, we’re all really excited to be part of that as well,” said Mack.
After a record-setting flyby of the moon on Monday night, Artemis II is now heading home.
Around 8 p.m. Tuesday, the Orion spacecraft ignited its boosters for 15 seconds, directing itself toward Earth.
The spacecraft is expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego around 8 p.m. this Friday.
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