KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.,
July 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The
critical launch abort system for NASA's Orion spacecraft was put to
its hardest test today, and it demonstrated its capability to pull
the crew module and future astronauts to safety during a launch if
there is an emergency. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) designed
and built the launch abort system for the test and is also the
prime contractor building the Orion spacecraft for NASA.
The Ascent Abort-2 flight test is a major test
milestone that is enabling the safe passage of astronauts aboard
Orion on the Artemis missions to the Moon and then Mars.
During the test this morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Florida, the Orion launch
abort system, with a mock-up Orion capsule, was launched on a
modified Peacekeeper missile. At 31,000 feet, or about six miles
up, into the flight, the on-board computers initiated the abort
sequence. The launch abort motors, generating 400,000 pounds of
thrust, then pulled the Orion capsule away from the rocket which
was already traveling nearly 1,000 mph. Using its attitude control
motor, the abort system then reoriented itself and jettisoned the
Orion capsule using its jettison motor. The total test took less
than three minutes.
"The test flight performed perfectly, not to mention it was
really exciting to watch," said Mike
Hawes, Orion program manager for Lockheed Martin Space.
"Hopefully this will be the last time we see this launch abort
system ever work, but this test brings confidence that if needed on
future Orion missions, it will safely pull the crew module and
astronauts away from a life threatening event during launch."
The Orion launch abort system is the highest thrust and
acceleration escape system ever developed and is the only system of
its kind in the world. It's a major system that makes the Orion
exploration-class spaceship the safest spacecraft ever built.
This is the second time the Orion launch abort system has been
put to the test. The first flight test was in 2010 simulating a
static abort from the launch pad. AA-2 is the final test and
demonstration of the full-up launch abort system.
NASA's Orion spacecraft for the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to
the Moon is being developed at the NASA Kennedy Space Center and
will soon head into environmental testing—all in preparation for a
2020 launch.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
More information about Orion and AA-2:
AA-2 animated video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HK9G7feXEk
AA-2 test footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rfsDMGplZU
Lockheed Martin Orion page:
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/orion
NASA Orion page: https://www.nasa.gov/orion
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin