NASA is currently developing a space capsule, called Orion, that will eventually carry a crew of four astronauts to Low Earth Orbit and beyond. Should something go catastrophically wrong during launch, an abort system will work to save the lives of the astronauts—but whoa, would they ever be in for a hell of a ride.
Today marks an important step in NASA’s commercial crew program: the first pad abort test for SpaceX’s new Crew Dragon vehicle. The 2-minute test will run the capsule through emergency procedures that would fling astronauts free from harm’s way in case a launch goes catastrophically amiss.
A pair of SuperDraco engines firing at the same time is far quieter than I thought it would be. The dual firing is part of SpaceX pad abort testing for the rocket engines, ensuring both engines can simultaneously ignite and throttle if they need to carry the Crew Dragon to safety.
Watch the video of the completely successful—and awesome—Orion Launch Abort System test. Hey NASA, in the future, please give me a call. I'll sign any papers you want, but I must get inside for the next ride.
If something goes wrong with the upcoming space shuttle replacement program, and we hope it does not, this is what could save the astronauts' lives. As they hurdle hundreds of miles per hour into the heavens, and their ship begins to break apart, mission control will scream "ABORT!" (or perhaps something a bit more…
