Ingalls-built ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) recently helped launch NASA’s crew module test article during Underway Recovery Test 11. This test is in preparation for NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the moon. The crew of LPD 22, along with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit and a Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron, trained alongside NASA ahead of the Underway Recovery Test.
In preparation for NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions.
Amphibious transport docks, like USS San Diego, have 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.
LPD 22 is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock built at Ingalls Shipbuilding. The ship’s keel was laid down in May 2007. LPD 22 was launched in May 2010 and christened in June of that same year. San Diego is sponsored by Linda Winter, wife of former Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter.