Editing ORION armor

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Armor infobox
|name=Orion
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Front|content1=[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Crop.png|x500px]]|title2=Rear|content2=[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Crop Back.png|x500px]]}}
|manufacturer=
|testsite=
|type=[[Powered exoskeleton]] prototype
|role=
|weight=
|features=Shoulder-mounted "[[Shoulder Angel]]" micro-missile launcher
}}
The '''ORION Exoframe Load Carrier''', often simplified to simply the "'''ORION armor'''," was a [[powered exoskeleton]] design developed by {{Project|MELAENO}}, as a sister project intended for use in the [[ORION Project|ORION program]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=76}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/anniversary-armory|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Anniversary Armory|D=03|M=11|Y=2021}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Orion armor encompasses a full-body armor suite, with a helmet notably reminiscent of select [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|Mark IV]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] helmets of which it would serve as the grandfather of. The chest armor is equipped with a prototype fitting for a "[[Shoulder Angel]]" micro-missile/decoy launcher.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}}

===Development history===
ORION armor was created as a part of the [[Colonial Military Authority]]'s {{Project|MELAENO}}—a project inspired by the [[Materials Group]]'s {{Project|HRUNTING}} series of powered exoskeletons. Ultimately, only a few components of the armor underwent field testing before the project's cancellation.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

The Orion armor's forearms were field-tested by ORION operatives in [[Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE]], during the [[Insurrection]]. Testing of the greaves was conducted by [[ORION candidate 029]] on [[Mars]],{{Ref/Reuse|CF}} with the suit's hardware development studies later going on to provide useful data for the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] project.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Classified MELAENO project files were dug up by [[Catherine Halsey]] in [[2515]] and the useful parts noted,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} with the suit's design ultimately going on to inform the MJOLNIR team on ensuring high range of motion and high levels of protection.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}}

The Orion exoframe was later used by the [[Watershed Division]] as a useful stepping stone in the development of the [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] used in the [[SPARTAN-III program]]. As of [[2559]], many of MELAENO's successes and failures remain classified.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Usage===
What little of the Orion armor that was actually created was employed by ORION personnel during Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE, around [[2506]]-[[2507]].{{Ref/Reuse|CF}}

==In-game information==
Orion was implemented into ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' as a useable [[Armor customization (Halo 2: Anniversary)|armor set]] in the [[Halo 20th anniversary|20th anniversary celebration]] event for ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', marking the first time a new piece of customisation was implemented for the game. The set is available for purchase in [[The Exchange]] on the week of November 3, 2021 and again on the week of January 5, 2022.{{Ref/Site|Id=Unlock|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/celebrating-20-years-of-halo-in-the-master-chief-collection|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Celebrating 20 Years of Halo in The Master Chief Collection|D=03|M=11|Y=2021}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%;"
! style="width: 15%"|Piece
! style="width: 65%"|Description
! style="width: 35%"|Unlock requirements
|- align="center"
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Helmet Icon.png|75px]]<br/>Helmet
|align="center"|Project ORION had ambitious plans for complete super-soldier weapon systems, but only Dr. Halsey had the vision and genius to bring both hardware and wetware to fruition.
|[[The Exchange]], {{SeasonPoint|2}}
|- align="center"
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Chest Icon.png|75px]]<br/>Chest
|align="center"|High-grade torso shell with prototype fitting for integrated "[[Shoulder Angel]]" micro-missile/decoy launcher.
|[[The Exchange]], {{SeasonPoint|2}}
|- align="center"
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Shoulder Icon.png|75px]]<br/>Shoulders
|align="center"|ORION hardware development studies provided useful data for ensuring both range of motion and high levels of protection on later MJOLNIR designs.
|[[The Exchange]], {{SeasonPoint|2}}
|- align="center"
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Forearms Icon.png|75px]]<br/>Forearms
|align="center"|Field-tested during [[Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE]].
|[[The Exchange]], {{SeasonPoint|2}}
|- align="center"
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Orion Legs Icon.png|75px]]<br/>Legs
|align="center"|Rigorous testing of the greaves was undertaken by [[ORION candidate 029|candidate 029]] on the red plains of [[Mars]].
|[[The Exchange]], {{SeasonPoint|2}}
|}

==Production notes==
The Orion armor design dates back to the [[1999]]-era armor seen at MacWorld 1999 during the [[Halo announcement trailer|''Halo'' announcement trailer]], which was used to officially unveil ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' to the public for the first time ever.

The armor made its first appearance in published ''Halo'' media in [[2005]]'s ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''. The armor can be seen on page 96 as an unnamed extra during the story ''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]'', in a presumably non-canon appearance.{{Ref/Comic|HGN|Story=Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa|Page=96}} It was first featured in a canonical capacity in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' for ''Halo''{{'}}s 20th anniversary.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:HCE ProtoHalo Concept.jpg|Extremely early concept art for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', featuring Orion-clad cyborgs.
File:PXH CGW1999Cover Screenshot.jpg|The original Macworld 1999 armor.
File:HCE OrionSquad.jpg|A squad of soldiers in Macworld armor, ported into ''Combat Evolved''.
File:HGN Orion.png|A look at the non-canon appearance of the ORION armor in ''Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa''.
File:HTMCC Orion Armour.jpg|The Orion armor in the menus of ''The Master Chief Collection''.
File:H2A Zenith OrionBRClose.png|An Orion-clad Spartan holding a [[BR55 battle rifle]].
File:H2A Zenith OrionBRBack.png|Back view of an Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
File:H2A Zenith OrionBRFar.png|An Orion-clad Spartan holding a battle rifle.
File:H2A Zenith OrionBRReload.png|An Orion-clad Spartan reloading a battle rifle.
File:H2A Zenith OrionSPNKr 1.png|An Orion-clad Spartan holding an [[M41 SPNKR]].
File:H2A Zenith OrionSPNKr 2.png|An Orion-clad Spartan holding an M41 rocket launcher.
File:H2A Zenith OrionSMG.png|An Orion-clad Spartan holding an [[M7 SMG]].
File:H2A Zenith OrionSMGReload.png|An Orion-clad Spartan reloading an SMG.
File:H2A Lockdown Orions.jpg|Two Spartans clad in Orion helmets and chest armors.
File:Enc22-OrionArmour.png|Orion armor in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]'' {{C|First appearance, non-canon}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Human exoskeletons}}
{{Armor/Permutation|H2A}}
[[Category:Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer armor permutations]]
[[Category:UNSC armor]]