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NASA to Test Emergency Ability of New Spacecraft

coondoggie writes "NASA this will show off the first mock up of its Orion space capsule ahead of the capsule's first emergency astronaut escape system test. NASA said it will jettison the full-size structural model off a simulated launch pad at the US Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The launch escape vehicle sits atop the Orion capsule which is slated to be bolted on an Ares rocket. The escape vehicle is made up of three solid rocket motors as well as separation mechanisms and canards, and should offer the crew an escape capability in the event of an emergency during launch, according to NASA."

2 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Hopefully by Corpuscavernosa · · Score: 5, Funny

    they'll have this whole thing ironed out for when that one guy has to go to Mars alone

    --
    We figured out a long time ago that it's easier to elect seven judges than to elect 132 legislators.
  2. It's 1963 all over again! by BadEvilYoda · · Score: 5, Insightful

    http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4205/app-c.html#section2 Ah, Saturn V... good times. Glad we've once again remembered it's a better idea to have the astronauts at the TOP of the stack rather than stuck to the SIDE of the stack.