Navy

NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 11 on USS San Diego

In preparation for NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the Department of Defense conducted a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including embarking helicopters, launching and recovering small boats, three dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities.

by DVIDS February 25, 2024February 25, 2024

Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) lower an 11 meter rigid hulled inflatable boat over the side of the ship while underway for NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 11 on Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns) Credit: Expeditionary Strike Group 3

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jeremiah Bennett (right), a native of Toledo, Ohio, and Seaman Joseph Site (left), a native of Nashville, Tennessee, provided direction to a crane maneuvering an 11 meter rigid hull inflatable boat on the weather decks aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) while underway for NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 11 on Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns) Credit: Expeditionary Strike Group 3

U.S. Navy Sailors stabilized NASA’s crew module test article (CMTA) during rehearsal for launching from the well deck aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during Underway Recovery Test 11 on Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Woods) Credit: Expeditionary Strike Group 3

Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transported dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) lower an 11 meter rigid hulled inflatable boat over the side of the ship while underway for NASA’s Underway Recovery Test 11 on Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns) Credit: Expeditionary Strike Group 3

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Christopher Flores from Colorado Springs, Colorado (left), demonstrates a fireman rescue carry on Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Christopher Torres from Brenham, Texas (right) during crash and salvage practice on the flight deck aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during Underway Recovery Test 11 on Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Woods) Credit: Expeditionary Strike Group 3

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