Orion launch abort motor tested
Posted: Sat, Nov 22, 2008, 3:42 PM ET (2042 GMT)
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) successfully tested on Thursday the motor that will be used in the launch abort system for NASA's Orion spacecraft. The 5.5-second test at ATK's test facility in Utah demonstrated the motors that will be part of the escape tower that will pull the Orion spacecraft away from the Ares 1 launcher in the event of an abort. The motor delivers over 2.2 million newtons of thrust for just a few seconds, enough to clear the capsule safely away from the launcher. A full-scale test of the launch abort system, using a full-sized Orion mockup, is planned for next spring.
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) successfully tested on Thursday the motor that will be used in the launch abort system for NASA's Orion spacecraft. The 5.5-second test at ATK's test facility in Utah demonstrated the motors that will be part of the escape tower that will pull the Orion spacecraft away from the Ares 1 launcher in the event of an abort. The motor delivers over 2.2 million newtons of thrust for just a few seconds, enough to clear the capsule safely away from the launcher. A full-scale test of the launch abort system, using a full-sized Orion mockup, is planned for next spring.
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