Pad Abort 1 (Orion)
Encyclopedia
Pad Abort 1 was a flight test of the Orion
Launch Abort System (LAS). Orion is a component of Constellation, a human spaceflight
project within NASA
, the space agency of the United States. PA-1 is the first test in a sequence of atmospheric flight tests known as Orion Abort Flight Test (AFT).
PA-1 tested the basic functionality of the launch abort concept from the pad in its preliminary Orion design configuration. It used the former conformal shape of the LAS adapter. The Flight Test Article (FTA) vehicle will differ from production Orion vehicles in a number of ways. For example, the FTA will not have a crew on board, and the avionics will be a prototype of what is planned for production Orions.
The PA-1 Test took place at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range
in New Mexico. The full-scale Orion AFT crew module completed preparations at Dryden Flight Research Center
and was loaded aboard a United States Air Force C-17 for transport to White Sands on August 18, 2009. The Orion PA-1 and Pathfinder Crew Module test articles were fabricated at Langley Research Center
. Sub assemblies of the PA-1 Launch Abort System began arriving at White Sands in the spring of 2009. NASA reported the date for this test would be early 2010. In October 2009 Orbital Sciences indicated the test was scheduled for March 2010. On March 30, 2010, NASA stated that the launch would be May 6, 2010,
– http://vimeo.com/11631855
Orion (spacecraft)
Orion is a spacecraft designed by Lockheed Martin for NASA, the space agency of the United States. Orion development began in 2005 as part of the Constellation program, where Orion would fulfill the function of a Crew Exploration Vehicle....
Launch Abort System (LAS). Orion is a component of Constellation, a human spaceflight
Human spaceflight
Human spaceflight is spaceflight with humans on the spacecraft. When a spacecraft is manned, it can be piloted directly, as opposed to machine or robotic space probes and remotely-controlled satellites....
project within NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, the space agency of the United States. PA-1 is the first test in a sequence of atmospheric flight tests known as Orion Abort Flight Test (AFT).
PA-1 tested the basic functionality of the launch abort concept from the pad in its preliminary Orion design configuration. It used the former conformal shape of the LAS adapter. The Flight Test Article (FTA) vehicle will differ from production Orion vehicles in a number of ways. For example, the FTA will not have a crew on board, and the avionics will be a prototype of what is planned for production Orions.
The PA-1 Test took place at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range is a rocket range of almost in parts of five counties in southern New Mexico. The largest military installation in the United States, WSMR includes the and the WSMR Otera Mesa bombing range...
in New Mexico. The full-scale Orion AFT crew module completed preparations at Dryden Flight Research Center
Dryden Flight Research Center
The Dryden Flight Research Center , located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. Dryden, a prominent aeronautical engineer who at the time of his death in 1965 was NASA's deputy administrator...
and was loaded aboard a United States Air Force C-17 for transport to White Sands on August 18, 2009. The Orion PA-1 and Pathfinder Crew Module test articles were fabricated at Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center is the oldest of NASA's field centers, located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It directly borders Poquoson, Virginia and Langley Air Force Base...
. Sub assemblies of the PA-1 Launch Abort System began arriving at White Sands in the spring of 2009. NASA reported the date for this test would be early 2010. In October 2009 Orbital Sciences indicated the test was scheduled for March 2010. On March 30, 2010, NASA stated that the launch would be May 6, 2010,
External links
Orion Pad Abort 1 Video Highlights at VimeoVimeo
Vimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...
– http://vimeo.com/11631855