Pad Abort Test

Mission Summary: The pad abort test was designed to test the launch escape tower's ability to quickly jettison the capsule from the vehicle in case of an emergency while on the launch pad. The mission profile was as follows: At T-3 seconds the main engine on the rocket was ignited, simulating the actual launch procedure. Once the count hit T-0 the abort command was given, signalling the capsule to separate from the vehicle and the launch escape tower to activate, propelling the capsule up and away. The vehicle then returned down on parachutes.

Mission Summary

Mission Outcome: Success

Mission Time: 2 minutes and 31 seconds

Maximum Altitude: 1,200 meters

Maximum Speed: 144 meters per second

Maximum G-Force: 4.0G