I ran across an Orion part during a lunch run today!

Apr 10, 2026 9:56 PM

This is the rough billet crew entry panel on it's way to final machining.

This is what I saw from half a block away on the back of this flatbed truck. In a brief glance I recognized the curvature and crazy "over engineering" of a part that is not from an airliner or missile.

One of the giveaways are the integrated machined webbing in the panel like the one I saw in the Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit. Just think that most of this will be "whittled" away.

Machined external fuel tank panel for the shuttle program.

I found this chart and the panel is located between weld #4 and #5.

artemis

astronaut

moon

nasa

orion

You lucky dog.Would love to look at that up close.

23 hours ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I wish I could have taken a little longer, but lunch was getting colder. At least I was able to document the moment for everyone.

23 hours ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0