Critical Abort System For NASA’s Orion Works Well

Orion is going to be the U.S.’ next human spacecraft, designed to fly to the International Space Station and be a integral part of a space flight system to return humans to the moon. One step along this development pathway that NASA has now successfully completed is the completion of the first, full-scale, solid fuel rocket motor test of the Orion jettison motor, which separates the craft’s launch abort system from the Orion crew module during launch. This engine will provide a safe escape for the crew in an emergency on the launch pad, or during the launch vehicle’s climb to orbit. Other Orion abort system tests are planned to start later this year—Washington, D.C.