Space Fans: Orion Pad Abort Test

[kkeenan 14]

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=13563469

NASA TEST LAUNCHES ROCKET ESCAPE SYSTEM FOR ASTRONAUTS: NASA launched a powerful emergency escape system for its new Orion spacecraft on a successful test flight Thursday, even as plans for the crew capsule are still being restructured. Called Pad Abort-1, the $220 million Orion escape system test showcased the system that could be used to rescue a crew and its spacecraft in case of emergencies at the launch pad. The test was conducted here at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Liftoff occurred on time at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT). Beautiful flight!" a test flight controller said after liftoff. Roaring off into New Mexico skies, the Launch Abort System propelled a boilerplate Orion crew module to some 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) altitude on an arcing trajectory above the desert landscape. After a rapid-fire sequence of events, including mid-air reorientation, drogue and main parachute deployments, the capsule landed about 6,919 feet (2,108 meters) – a bit farther than expected. "Wow, that went like clockwork from what I can see," said Jay Estes, NASA's deputy manager of the Orion project office. "That's an amazing test." The launch abort system designed to activate within milliseconds in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during initial ascent. (Space.com)

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Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[kkeenan 14]

This was one serious kick-ass test. The escape motor develops 500,000 lbs. of thrust accelerating the capsule from 0 to 600 mph in under 3 sec. to escape an exploding rocket. I think they are quoting about 15.5 g. This would certainly be better than being blown up by the launch vehicle, but only slightly.

_____________________________________
Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[PhreeZone 20]

The roll pre-apogee has to be extremely disorienting also. Just as you are starting to come over the top the entire thing does an end over end roll on you?

I'll ride inside next time to see how it really feels if they need a passenger

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[quade 4]

I'd do it. That would kick ass.

One thing that occurs to me though watching this is that on the first man Orion flight the USPA ought to give the crew some sort of honorary membership.

We haven't had astronauts landing via parachute in quite awhile and while this is a definite step back in technology, it's still going to be very cool.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[cocheese 0]

Thank you for keeping us updated on space/launch events. We don't always have (or make) time to check the NASA web site. Besides. It's cooler if a skydiver tells us what is going on.

See people, the bonfire is a great source of news and information. In fact, it was here that we first learned of water/ice on Mars.... Way before it ever made the news on television.

[turtlespeed 226]

what does 15.5 G do to you guts and soft tissue organs?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[PolluxSJ 0]

Here's video of the test but it's not great quality. To better see what's going on, there's also this nice animation.

[lawrocket 3]

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We haven't had astronauts landing via parachute in quite awhile and while this is a definite step back in technology, it's still going to be very cool.

We had a couple NASA astronauts land with the Soyuz in 02. And two or three American tourists.

just a slight correction.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kkeenan 14]

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We had a couple NASA astronauts land with the Soyuz in 02. And two or three American tourists.

NASA astronauts have been landing in Soyuz routinely for several years.

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[dks13827 3]

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what does 15.5 G do to you guts and soft tissue organs?

Since the crew would be in couches on their backs, it is not too horrible for a short duration. I am sure it is not fun, however.

[turtlespeed 226]

THAT is without a doubt.

Hmm - looking now for gforce sims that would enlighten me.

Probably something like this

but this is only at about 6g

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[johnboy 0]

So is this any indication of the future of the Constellation project, or are we pretty much done with space for a while? It just slays me the politics that have gone for literally decades now around our space program.

[kkeenan 14]

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So is this any indication of the future of the Constellation project...

This abort system can be adapted to just about any other centerline-type launch vehicle.

As for Constellation, Congress has not yet approved the President's budget that calls for it to be canceled. Stay tuned for the future of that.

The President has added provisions for continued development of the Orion capsule as a "Rescue Vehicle" for the International Space Station. The folks working on Orion are now saying that the need a few flights to test the capsule, so they would like to build a few Ares I rockets for this. Some things just have a way of hanging on...

Kevin K.

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Dude, you are so awesome...
Can I be on your ash jump ?

[billvon 3,058]

>The roll pre-apogee has to be extremely disorienting also.

I think that's a pitch or yaw maneuver - but in any case I think the whole thing would be extremely disorienting.