Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), a global aerospace and national security company, has played a pivotal role in advancing NASA's Artemis program through its development of the Human Landing System (HLS) crew module. This collaboration underscores SNC's commitment to supporting NASA's mission of returning humans to the Moon and establishing a sustainable presence there.

SNC's Role in the Artemis Program

In April 2020, SNC was selected as a subcontractor to Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, to provide key crew module technology for NASA's HLS program. This program is a critical component of NASA's Artemis initiative, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the lunar surface. SNC's responsibilities included systems integration, human rating, safety, and mission assurance for the crew module. The company leveraged its expertise from previous NASA programs, such as the Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) and NextSTEP-2/Gateway programs, to develop a crew module capable of ferrying astronauts and cargo to and from the Moon's surface. ([sncorp.com](

Development and Delivery of the Crew Module Prototype

By February 2021, SNC had delivered a prototype crew module to Dynetics for integration into the HLS. This prototype was designed to provide a safe and functional habitat for astronauts during lunar missions. SNC engineers and technicians outfitted the module with essential systems, including lighting, cameras, and structural elements that define the living and working areas. They also installed flight-like mockups of all major systems to ensure successful interaction for all functional systems selected for the prototype. The module underwent integration and checkout testing to validate its design and functionality. ([sncorp.com](

Technological Innovations and Contributions

SNC's contributions to the Artemis program extended beyond the crew module. The company advanced the development of its LIFE™ Habitat (Large Inflatable Fabric Environment) under Phase 3 of NASA's Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2) Appendix A habitat program. The LIFE habitat is unique in that it launches on a conventional rocket and inflates on-orbit to a large structure that is three stories tall and 27 feet in diameter. It can comfortably sleep four astronauts, with additional room for science experiments, exercise equipment, a medical center, and SNC's Astro Garden® system, which is being developed as an option to grow fresh produce for astronauts on long-duration space missions. This habitat design is directly applicable to SNC's role in leading the development of the crew module for the proposed human landing system for the Artemis program. ([sncorp.com](

Safety and Reliability Measures

Ensuring the safety and reliability of the crew module was a paramount concern for SNC. In June 2013, the company completed its first major, comprehensive safety review of its Dream Chaser Space System, which is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. This Integrated Systems Safety Analysis Review provided NASA with hazard reports and safety and reliability plans for the major components of the company's integrated crew transportation system, including the Dream Chaser spacecraft, United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, and flight and ground systems. This review process was critical to ensure that safety and reliability techniques and methods were incorporated into the space systems design. ([nasa.gov](

Impact on NASA's Artemis Program

SNC's involvement in the Artemis program, particularly through the development of the crew module, has been instrumental in advancing NASA's objectives for lunar exploration. The crew module serves as the pressurized part of the Orion spacecraft, providing a safe habitat for astronauts during their journey to the Moon and back. It can accommodate four crew members for up to 21 days and is equipped with advanced life support, avionics, power systems, and advanced manufacturing techniques. The module also includes environmental control and life support systems that maintain cabin temperature, pressure, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels, ensuring crew health and comfort on long missions. ([nasa.gov](

Through its collaboration with NASA and Dynetics, SNC has contributed to the development of a crew module that not only meets the stringent requirements of the Artemis program but also incorporates innovative technologies designed to enhance the safety, reliability, and sustainability of lunar missions. This partnership exemplifies the critical role of private industry in supporting NASA's exploration goals and highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and commercial entities in advancing space exploration.

Sources

  • Sierra Nevada Corporation — SNC to Lead Crew Module Development for Critical Piece of NASA’s Artemis Program —
  • Sierra Nevada Corporation — Ozmens’ SNC Delivers Prototype Lunar Crew Module to Dynetics —
  • Sierra Nevada Corporation — Ozmens’ SNC Advances Habitat Development for NASA —
  • Sierra Nevada Corporation — NASA Commercial Partner Sierra Nevada Completes Safety Review —
  • NASA — Crew Module —