Control Motors Tested for Orion Launch Abort System

摘要

Minneapolis-based Alliant Techsystems (ATK) completed the second of two ground tests of the attitude control motor for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle's launch abort system in preparation for NASA's first flight test of the capsule this spring, the company announced March 19. The test, which confirmed the motor's performance and evaluated environment extremes and ignition system robustness, was conducted March 17 at ATK's facility in Elkton, Md.rnDubbed Pad Abort 1, the test constitutes the first flight demo for Orion, part of NASA's Constellation program designed to replace the aging space shuttle fleet with new rockets and spacecraft optimized for the Moon.