What are the abort modes for the Orion spacecraft after the launch escape system is jettisoned?
What are the abort modes for the Orion spacecraft after the launch escape system is jettisoned?
Aborts after the LAS is jettisoned:
Mode 2: Untargeted Abort Splashdown (UAS). Orion separates from the iCPS and uses either the OME or the auxilliary thrusters to get away from the iCPS. Thrusters are fired as necessary to result in a a splashdown off the coast of Spain (equitorial insertion) or off the coast of Ireland (for north-bound trajectories)
Mode 3: Abort Once Around (AOA). iCPS puts Orion into a sub-optimal orbit. Orion then separates from iCPS and performs a retroburn to target a splashdown in the Pacific off the US West Coast.
Mode 4: Abort To Orbit (ATO). If SLS suffers insufficient performance to complete the initial orbit, than the iCPS can be restarted to provide whatever additional delta-V that is left, such that the Orion main propulsion system can
complete orbital insertion, while still reserving enough propellant in the ESM to succesfully deorbit later.