Author Topic: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test  (Read 130405 times)

Offline Ancient

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #20 on: 02/05/2010 05:57 pm »
I don't doubt that they're still doing some integration and processing work - perhaps still wiring up the DFI, but if the hardware wasn't all built there's no way they'd be ready to launch it in April.

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #21 on: 02/05/2010 11:09 pm »
Just heard from ATK that the PA-1 test is still funded, and will remain funded, to run the test in April.
With all that has happened (been canceled) in the last couple days, can someone help me understand what the point of this would be?  Why do a launch abort test for a vehicle whose further development has been canceled?

Something will replace Orion.  The replacement is likely to need a LAS.  By space standards modifying one LAS design to make a smaller one is not difficult.  The test will show that the parts work.

Offline Jim

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #22 on: 02/05/2010 11:30 pm »
  By space standards modifying one LAS design to make a smaller one is not difficult.  The test will show that the parts work.

You have no clue about what you are talking about.

Different vehicles will have different LAS requirements.  A smaller one will require a new motor, which is a new development.  Another launch vehicle is not going to require attitude control motor.

Offline seawolfe

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #23 on: 02/05/2010 11:45 pm »
Different vehicles will have different LAS requirements.  A smaller one will require a new motor, which is a new development.  Another launch vehicle is not going to require attitude control motor.

So... you're saying that we can't just bolt the Orion LAS onto a SpaceX Dragon like an aftermarket bolt-on part from NAPA Autoparts?  ;)

Durn, wulda saved a lotto cash!  :D

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #24 on: 02/06/2010 01:32 am »
Different vehicles will have different LAS requirements.  A smaller one will require a new motor, which is a new development.  Another launch vehicle is not going to require attitude control motor.

So... you're saying that we can't just bolt the Orion LAS onto a SpaceX Dragon like an aftermarket bolt-on part from NAPA Autoparts?  ;)

Durn, wulda saved a lotto cash!  :D

The people leaving NASA and the aerospace companies are going to find things are very different in the real world.

Offline Jim

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #25 on: 02/06/2010 02:00 am »
The people leaving NASA and the aerospace companies are going to find things are very different in the real world.

They know the difference.  The issue is outsiders like Swallow don't know that rocket science is different than the real world and they keep making inane posts to the contrary
« Last Edit: 02/06/2010 02:01 am by Jim »

Offline rdale

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #26 on: 03/06/2010 01:12 pm »
http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/Orion/documents/ORION_WEEKLY_03052010.pdf

Significant progress continues on the overall integration of the Launch Abort System (shown above and in banner) for Pad Abort 1.

Offline aquarius

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #27 on: 03/08/2010 05:32 pm »
According to Orlando Sentinel, PA-1 will occur in late April or early May.

Online jacqmans

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #28 on: 03/19/2010 01:46 pm »
News Release Issued: March 19, 2010 8:45 AM EDT

ATK Successfully Tests Attitude Control Motor for Orion Launch Abort System: The Next Step in Creating Unmatched Crew Safety for Future Human Space Flight
Key Milestone Test Performed at ATK's Elkton, Maryland Facility

MINNEAPOLIS, March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced that it successfully completed the second of two ground tests of a full-scale attitude control motor (ACM) for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle.  The second test was conducted on March 17, and evaluated environment extremes and ignition system robustness in addition to confirming the motor performance.  The test was conducted at ATK's facility in Elkton, Maryland, where the first successful test was conducted on December 15, 2009.

Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor to NASA for Orion, leads the project team developing the nation's next-generation space flight vehicle to carry out missions to destinations throughout our solar system.  Orion's launch abort system is critical to the human rating of any similarly designed spacecraft and is essential for crew safety which is fundamental to successful human space exploration in the future.

This test of the control motor validates the readiness for NASA's upcoming pad abort 1 (PA-1) flight test that will be conducted at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico.  The PA-1 ACM was delivered to WSMR in February.  PA-1 is the first LAS flight test for NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle.

"The success of this test, coupled with the success of the first test last December, demonstrates again that crew safety is an overriding priority in the design of the crew vehicles to be used in future human exploration missions.  We are now ready for the next major milestone, a flight demonstration," said Bart Olson, interim President, ATK Mission Systems. 

ATK's attitude control motor provides steering for the Orion launch abort system, which is designed to safely lift and steer the Orion crew module away from the launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.  This was the seventh in a series of ground tests of Orion's attitude control motor system, validating that the thruster system performs as designed.

ATK's attitude control motor consists of a solid propellant gas generator, with eight proportional valves equally spaced around the circumference of the three-foot diameter motor.  In combination, the valves can exert up to 7,000 pounds of steering force to the vehicle in any direction upon command from the crew module.  The valves are controlled by a redundant power and control system.

ATK is under contract to Lockheed Martin to develop the attitude control motor and provide motors for Orion's development test flights and human-rated flights.  ATK is also responsible for the main launch abort motor, successfully test-fired November 2008, and the Ares I first stage, which was successfully test-fired in September 2009.

About the Orion Launch Abort System:

The Orion launch abort system (LAS) activates within milliseconds in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during initial ascent. The LAS consists of three motors: the abort motor that fires nearly 500,000 pounds of thrust to pull the crew module up and away from the launch vehicle; the attitude control motor that exerts up to 7,000 pounds of steering force to reorient the vehicle's position; and the jettison motor that separates the crew module from the launch abort system so that parachutes can be deployed for a safe landing. The jettison motor is the only motor that will be activated on all nominal missions to separate the spacecraft from the launch abort system assembly shortly after second stage activation. ATK is providing the abort and attitude control motors and Aerojet is providing the jettison motor. All three motors have been integrated into the LAS assembly by a Lockheed Martin-led team at White Sands Missile Range in preparation for the Pad Abort 1 test this spring.

Video, photographs and additional information on the ACM program can be found at: http://www.atk.com/Customer_Solutions_MissionSystems/cs_ms_sp_default.asp

Jacques :-)

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #29 on: 03/23/2010 12:51 am »
Would this LAS work for the commercial Orion?  I know that the Atlas V has different ascent performance and the orion would be LEO optimized, on the other hand this LAS already has a lot of work done.

Offline rdale

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     With each flight test a Range Safety Data Package is assembled to understand the potential consequences of various failure scenarios. Debris catalog analysis considers an overpressure failure of the Abort Motor and the resulting debris field created 1. Characterize debris fragments generated by failure: weight, shape, and area 2. Compute fragment ballistic coefficients 3. Compute fragment ejection velocities

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20100011003_2010002275.pdf

Offline renclod

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #31 on: 03/31/2010 07:12 am »
From twitter :

NASA's 1st Pad Abort flight test for Orion's LAS is set to launch May 6, 2010 .

PA-1 launch abort system go for stacking at White Sands! The crew module is waiting !

Winds were too high for safe crane lifting of the ~45-foot motor stack. Will try for better weather this week.


hi res:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/exploration/orioncrew/hires/jsc2010e042181.jpg
« Last Edit: 03/31/2010 07:22 am by renclod »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #32 on: 04/01/2010 04:02 pm »
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=314703&id=100000002640371&fbid=115289735147781

Quote
Ready to lift the LAS when the winds went out of limits for the Operation; the LAS stack is expected to occur on Saturday.

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Offline Ancient

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #34 on: 04/03/2010 05:34 pm »
So cool! I can't wait!

Offline renclod

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #35 on: 04/06/2010 01:59 pm »
30 days to launch.




Offline Downix

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #36 on: 04/08/2010 05:58 pm »
Would this LAS work for the commercial Orion?  I know that the Atlas V has different ascent performance and the orion would be LEO optimized, on the other hand this LAS already has a lot of work done.
No reason why not, this LAS has to pull Orion away from a far more deadly situation on Ares than it would on Atlas or Delta.
chuck - Toilet paper has no real value? Try living with 5 other adults for 6 months in a can with no toilet paper. Man oh man. Toilet paper would be worth it's weight in gold!

Offline rdale

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #37 on: 04/08/2010 07:07 pm »
Good news about NTV coverage!

MEDIA ADVISORY : M10-052
 
 
NASA Invites Media to Preview Test of New Launch Abort System
 
 
HOUSTON -- NASA has set a launch date and a media preview day for its next flight test, called Pad Abort 1. The flight test is part of an ongoing mission to develop safer vehicles for human spaceflight applications. The test is scheduled for May 6, with a media preview day April 23. Registration deadlines for reporters planning to attend are as early as April 9.

Pad Abort 1 will be the first fully integrated test of the launch abort system being developed for the Orion crew vehicle. The information gathered through the test will be used to design and develop future systems that provide a safe escape for crews in the event of an emergency.

Representatives from NASA and Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for Orion, will provide an overview of the test and answer questions at a media preview on April 23. Reporters will be able to see the vehicle on the launch pad. The media day will take place at launch complex 32E at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, N.M.

Journalists who intend to participate in the media day must register with the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office by calling 575-678-1134. Foreign media representatives must register by April 9; U.S. media representatives must register by April 16.

The flight test May 6 will be broadcast on NASA Television and the agency's Web site. Media representatives planning to attend the flight test also must contact the White Sands Public Affairs Office. The deadline for foreign nationals to register is April 21. For U.S. journalists, the deadline is April 28. The launch viewing area is approximately four miles from the launch pad.

Offline renclod

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #38 on: 04/14/2010 08:03 pm »
"The Launch Abort System (LAS) thermal protective cover fit check was performed recently at White Sands Missile Range in support of Pad Abort 1. The thermal cover is used to control the temperature of the motors prior to launch."


Offline NYC777

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Re: Orion Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) Test
« Reply #39 on: 04/26/2010 06:14 pm »
Any word on further progress towards PA-1?

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