SoylentNews

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Pad Abort Test Successful

posted by takyon on Thursday May 07 2015, @03:11PM   
from the down-to-earth dept.

frojack wrote about SpaceX's Wednesday test of the launch abort system for the Crew Dragon space capsule. The test was successful:

The Dragon ship was propelled to a safe distance, lowering itself softly into the Atlantic via three parachutes.

SpaceX expects to start launching astronauts in 2017. It is one of two companies that have been contracted by the US space agency (NASA) to develop vehicles to ferry people to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The other firm is Boeing. Both have to demonstrate effective launch escape technologies for their rockets and capsules to receive certification. Only with the necessary assurance will Nasa permit its astronauts to climb aboard.

Pad abort systems used in prior capsules were always dead weight, bolted on top, and jettisoned a few minutes after launch. By using the Dragon's own internal engines, SpaceX hopes to save weight on a system that everyone hopes is never used.

• Re:Carry the weight all the way... (Score: 3, Funny) by tangomargarine on Thursday May 07 2015, @07:41PM

  by tangomargarine (667) on Thursday May 07 2015, @07:41PM (#180045)

  Not being a rocket scientist myself, I shy away from saying, "this is dumb why didn't they design the rocket this *obviously right* way?"

  Neither do I comment on brain surgeon technique.

  --
  "Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"

  Parent

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Moderation		+1
  Funny=1, Total=1
  Extra 'Funny' Modifier		0
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		3