SpaceX to start in-flight test of escape system
October 27, 2019SpaceX has released a shot clip on twitter of its Dragon Spacecraft’s upgraded launch escape system. It’s purpose is to carry astronauts to safety should something go terribly wrong aboard the spaceship and the mission needs to be aborted. SpaceX is going to be conducting a static fire and in-flight abort tests soon to determine its actual effectiveness.
Late in August, the Dragon spacecraft departed the International Space Station carrying 3,300 pounds (1497kg) of cargo and came back down to earth via a parachute-assisted splash down in the Pacific Ocean. A month prior, Dragon, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket was launched into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Test of Crew Dragon’s upgraded launch escape system ahead of static fire and in-flight abort tests – altogether we are conducting hundreds of tests to verify the system's advanced capabilities to carry astronauts to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency pic.twitter.com/a4FucMh85l
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 24, 2019
Ahead of our in-flight abort test for @Commercial_Crew—which will demonstrate Crew Dragon's ability to safely carry astronauts away from the rocket in the unlikely event of an emergency—our team has completed over 700 tests of the spacecraft's SuperDraco engines pic.twitter.com/nswMPCK3F9
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 12, 2019
According to SpaceX, Dragon is the only spacecraft in operation that is capable of returning significant amount of cargo back to earth. It’s an incredible bit of kit that will help with short distance travel between the ISS and earth. This self propelled “escape pod” will be able to get astronauts to safety during an emergency. The company has already completed 700 tests of the spacecrafts’s SuperDraco engines.
As impressive as Dragon maybe, it’s capabilities pale in comparison to Starship. It’s a spacecraft that will carry about 100 people on interplanetary flights. The craft is also tipped to be the vehicle that will carry people and cargo as well as provide the support needed for building Moon bases and Mars cities.
11 years ago today, we launched our first successful mission. To date, we’ve completed 78 launches and have developed the world’s only operational reusable orbital class rockets and spacecraft—capable of launching to space, returning to Earth, and flying again pic.twitter.com/5L0q9PJ90P
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2019
Starship will provide affordable delivery of significant quantities of cargo and people, essential for building Moon bases and Mars cities pic.twitter.com/0BImZP1qmM
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2019
This is an exciting time for space exploration as SpaceX ramps up its series of tests. We hope that this will be a start to even bigger breakthroughs for spaceflights.
Photo Credit: SpaceX
