Orion launch abort test stand ready for action

摘要

NASA and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) have unveiled a new vertical test stand at ATK's facility in Promontory, UT, that will be used to support NASA's Constellation program. The stand will be used to test-fire the full-scale abort motor for the launch abort system, which sits atop the Orion crew exploration vehicle.rnA full-scale inert motor, without oxidizer in the propellant, is now secured top end down in the test stand with nozzles pointing skyward. Engineers will be performing a final checkout of the test setup over the next several months.