Artemis IV is in the works! Lockheed Martin technicians at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility recently finished welding the pressure vessel, the underlying structure of Orion's crew module, that will carry astronauts to the Moon on the #Artemis IV mission. The friction stir welding process advances the state-of-the-art for circumferential welds, yielding higher strength and higher quality welds at a lower cost. The latest manufacturing technologies, efficient processes, and new materials, such as the ultra-lightweight Aluminum-Lithium alloy, are all being employed on Orion to produce the lightest possible vehicle for space flight. Image descriptions: 1: A technician is monitoring the welding operation in front of the friction stir weld machine. In front of him are clamps that hold the two pieces being welded securely in place. The weld head with hydraulic and electrical lines is visible in the foreground. 2: The Artemis IV Orion crew module pressure vessel is seen at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The yellow-gridded structure is suspended from the ceiling inside a warehouse. Credit: @NASA #STEM #NASAMichoud #Space #LunarMission #Orion #Spacecraft #NewOrleans #NASA