Artemis I was a significant mission for NASA, as it marked their return to lunar exploration after decades of absence. As the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration of the moon and eventually mars, the main objectives of the Artemis Program is to test and validate Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion Capsule System.
The mission is the first integrated flight test of NASA’S deep space exploration system. Artemis I involved the unmanned launch of the Orion spacecraft on the Space Launch System rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022. After completing one flyby of the Moon on November 21 and a second on November 25, the Orion spacecraft returned to Earth, successfully splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean on December 11.
After its 1.4-million-mile mission around the moon and back to earth, the capsule was transported from San Diego, California to Kennedy’s Multi Payload Processing Facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida, by truck, arriving December 30th, 2022.
With Orion safely back at Kennedy, technicians have begun removing payloads from the capsule, for inspection, analysis and de-servicing operations. (See updates and photos from NASA)
The successful completion of Artemis I paves the way for a series of crewed future missions, including Artemis II, a crewed lunar fly-by that is presently scheduled for 2024.
Did you know that hydraulics not only work in space, but they play an essential role in the operation of space vehicles, their logistics and infrastructure? Properly functioning hydraulics on space vehicles are critical to ensuring missions are safe, efficient, and successful. Lynch is proud of its role in Artemis I and looks forward to NASA’s future missions to the moon and beyond!
When thinking about hydraulic applications, defense and aerospace are quite often at the top of the list. Many industries such as mining, construction, forestry, oil and gas, and utilities routinely use hydraulics in the operation of heavy machinery. What is not common knowledge is that a vast amount of the technology was developed and advanced through necessity by the defense and aerospace sectors.
Hydraulics is a technology involving a mechanical function that operates through force of liquid under pressure. This force greatly surpasses the force created by electronic or pneumatic means.
Power density is the key reason for using hydraulics in military applications, particularly where power and precision are required. Hydraulic systems can provide the high levels of force necessary to operate heavy equipment, as well as the precise control needed for delicate operations.
Examples of Hydraulic Use in Defense Applications (a few, there are many!)
Controlling robotic arms
Hydraulic systems offer several advantages for defense applications, including high power-to-weight ratios, compactness, and reliability. Hydraulic systems are an essential part of defense equipment and have played a vital role in the defense of countries around the world.
From countering powerful recoil to providing precision, hydraulics take the spotlight. Using robot arms in munitions factories help reduce injuries amongst workers and enable fine precision work which would be hard for a person to undertake by hand. The hydraulics in robotic arms allow for a superior level of control and accuracy in movement.
Lifting and positioning aircraft parts during assembly & maintenance
Hydraulics do the heavy lifting during aircraft maintenance, allowing machinery to lift and maneuver parts into the correct place safely. Hydraulics really do provide the backbone of the defense industry, allowing for much quicker and more efficient turn arounds between missions and enhancing the safety of ground crews.
Moving heavy loads around military bases
Many military ground vehicles have hydraulic parts including loading ramps that allow for easy transport of heavy loads around bases and shipped decks. Hydraulics are often used when stability and accuracy are key, for example if munitions are being transported, it is paramount that they are done so in a safe and reliable manner.
Hydraulics you can trust
Lives depend on hydraulic system reliability. At Lynch, we take safety very seriously. Having a hydraulic system that has been built by experts and rigorously tested is essential.
Our team of Hydraulic Engineers are among the best in the world, with many years of diverse experience. They continue to work with top defense and aerospace companies and adhere to the highest standards in engineered manifold systems.
Lynch offers research and development services. FEA, CFD, Life Cycle Testing, Static & Dynamic Testing, Burst pressures to 100,000 PSI.
Certifications and Standards
ISO9001:2015
AS9100D
Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), ITAR, Compliant
For three decades, Lynch Fluid Controls has taken pride in maintaining rigorous quality accreditations to deliver superior products with unsurpassed attention to quality, safety, and reliability.
Best Defense Conference 2022
Lynch Fluid Controls is a leading provider of hydraulic and motion control systems across a wide range of sectors. Visit our friendly and welcoming team at the Best Defense Conference in London, Ontario from November 16 -17, 2022 to learn how we will save you time and resources by being a single-source solution to engineer, manufacture, assemble, test and validate your next hydraulic defense solution.
