SpaceX successfully tests Dragon abort system
Posted: Fri, May 8, 2015, 7:48 PM ET (2348 GMT)
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft performed a pad abort test Wednesday in Florida, successfully demonstrating its ability to escape in an emergency. The Dragon, seated on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40, fired its eight SuperDraco engines for about six seconds at 9:00 am EDT (1300 GMT) Wednesday. The thrusters sent the spacecraft to a peak altitude of more than one kilometer, splashing down just offshore in the Atlantic about 99 seconds later. The company declared the test a success, although one of the thrusters appeared to underperform, shortening the flight by several seconds. The test demonstrates the ability of the Dragon to escape its launch vehicle in an emergency; SpaceX also plans to use those thrusters for future propulsive landings of the spacecraft. An in-flight abort test, where the Dragon separates from a Falcon 9 after liftoff, is planned for later this year.
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft performed a pad abort test Wednesday in Florida, successfully demonstrating its ability to escape in an emergency. The Dragon, seated on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 40, fired its eight SuperDraco engines for about six seconds at 9:00 am EDT (1300 GMT) Wednesday. The thrusters sent the spacecraft to a peak altitude of more than one kilometer, splashing down just offshore in the Atlantic about 99 seconds later. The company declared the test a success, although one of the thrusters appeared to underperform, shortening the flight by several seconds. The test demonstrates the ability of the Dragon to escape its launch vehicle in an emergency; SpaceX also plans to use those thrusters for future propulsive landings of the spacecraft. An in-flight abort test, where the Dragon separates from a Falcon 9 after liftoff, is planned for later this year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, March 2
Firefly Scrubs Alpha Rocket Launch Attempt Due to Winds
Noozhawk — 6:28 am ET (1128 GMT) Space, 6G and AI: How Europe aims to be at the forefront of global communications with €100mil fund
EuroNews — 6:28 am ET (1128 GMT) SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
Spaceflight Now — 6:26 am ET (1126 GMT) US far behind in space defense, True Anomaly CEO warns
Business Insider — 6:25 am ET (1125 GMT) Apollo-era space colony dreams inspire Musk’s moon transport plan
The Hill — 6:22 am ET (1122 GMT) |
