Waspie_Dwarf Posted April 22, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Dragon pad abort test set for early May A major test of the system that would shoot SpaceX astronaut crews away from a failing rocket is scheduled for no earlier than May 5 from a specially-built mount at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad, NASA announced Tuesday.The four-hour window for the test opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT). A backup opportunity is available May 6, NASA officials said. Read more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted April 23, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 23, 2015 FWIW the Orion test vehicle that was involved in a similar test for the Orion crew capsule is located at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton VA. It is parked alongside the Apollo 12 command module for easy reference. http://www.vasc.org/visit/exhibits/spacecraft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted May 5, 2015 #3 Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) SpaceX to test manned Dragon spacecraft May 6 By Jamie Lendino on May 5, 2015 at 10:29 am SpaceX is running a critical Pad Abort test on its Dragon V2 spacecraft Wednesday. It’s the first real test on the craft, and will help pave the way for its first manned missions in 2017. The test itself is pretty straightforward, and involves the craft’s launch abort system. In case of a failure, this test ensures that the procedure to remove the crew and spacecraft from the combustible rocket works as planned. “It is similar to an ejection seat for a fighter pilot, but instead of ejecting the pilot out of the spacecraft, the entire spacecraft is ‘ejected’ away from the launch vehicle,” the company said in a blog post. What makes SpaceX‘s Launch Abort system different is that it’s integrated directly into the walls of the spacecraft, instead of consisting of a separate rocket tower on top. Rather than becoming useless just a few minutes into ascent, as the rocket tower would, SpaceX’s new system protects the crew and spacecraft all the way into full orbit. Thanks to the use of the craft’s eight SuperDraco rocket engines, the system is powerful enough for 120,000 pounds of axial thrust in under one second, and can launch the Dragon craft over 300 feet in two seconds. Article continues: http://www.extremete...pacecraft-may-6 Edited May 5, 2015 by Merc14 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastieRunner Posted May 5, 2015 #4 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Sounds interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted May 6, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted May 6, 2015 SpaceX Pad Abort Test Coverage BeginsNASA Commentator Mike Curie kicks off televised coverage of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Pad Abort Test from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.Credit: NASA/KSCSource: NASAKennedy - YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted May 6, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted May 6, 2015 SpaceX Pad Abort Go/No Go PollControllers give the "go" to proceed with the SpaceX Crew Dragon Pad Abort Test from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.Credit: NASA/KSCSource: NASAKennedy - YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted May 6, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted May 6, 2015 SpaceX Crew Dragon Flies in Pad Abort TestPowered by its SuperDraco engines, the uncrewed SpaceX Crew Dragon flies through its paces in the Pad Abort Test from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.Credit: NASA/KSCSource: NASAKennedy - YouTube Channel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted May 6, 2015 #8 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Wow, that would be one helluva ride! They would be pulling some heavy G's at ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted May 6, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Wow, that would be one helluva ride! And not a very comfortable one, but, like an ejector seat, when you use it it's because the alternative is far worse. They would be pulling some heavy G's at ignition. About 5g. Uncomfortable but manageable. Less than a fighter pilot would regularly experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted May 6, 2015 #10 Share Posted May 6, 2015 And not a very comfortable one, but, like an ejector seat, when you use it it's because the alternative is far worse. About 5g. Uncomfortable but manageable. Less than a fighter pilot would regularly experience. I thought it would be more. We regularly pulled 6Gs while practicing Air Combat Maneuvering and I've pulled as many as 8Gs, although the skipper wasn't to happy as the jet, while combat rated to 8Gs, required some repair afterwards. The newer fighters are much more G capable than back in my day. Thankfully, I never had to use my ejection seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted May 23, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Pad Abort Test | Point of ViewThe Pad Abort Test was the first key flight test of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, a vehicle designed to carry astronauts to and from space.Dragon traveled from 0-100 mph in 1.2 seconds, reaching a max velocity of 345 mph.The test simulated how Dragon would carry astronauts to safety if an emergency occurred on the launch pad. Crew Dragon’s abort system is powered by eight SuperDraco engines which together produce 120,000 pounds of axial thrust. The engines are integrated directly into the sides of the vehicle rather than carried on top of the vehicle as with previous launch abort systems. This configuration provides astronauts escape capability from the launch pad all the way to orbit and allows the spacecraft to use the same thrusters to land propulsively on land at the end of a mission. For more information on the test, see: http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/05/06/crew-dragon-completes-pad-abort-testCredit: SpaceXSource: SpaceX - YouTube Channel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted June 8, 2015 Author #12 Share Posted June 8, 2015 NASA Commercial Crew Partner SpaceX Achieves Pad Abort Milestone Approval NASA has approved a $30 million milestone payment to SpaceX under the agency’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) agreement with the company following a recent and successful pad abort test of its Crew Dragon spacecraft.Data gathered during the test are critical to understanding the safety and performance of the Crew Dragon spacecraft as the company continues on the path to certification for crew missions to the International Space Station, and helping return the ability to launch astronauts from the United States. Read more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merc14 Posted June 9, 2015 #13 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I think this is an incredibly healthy result of America's last almost 60+ years of space exploration. America is based on the private sector and NACA/NASA has created a new industry through their incredible legacy of pushing the thresholds so it becomes safe for industry to start investing in the opportunities outer space offers. SpaceX is doing some great things and it is amazing to watch. The best is yet to come in the 2020's when a whole new generation of telescopes, both earth based and space borne, start doing science. The SLS is going to be a game changer as well and like in the past, will open the borders for the private sector to expand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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