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On the 2nd of March, SpaceX launched the Dragon 2 capsule on its first trip
to the International Space Station
This was a test flight to show that the capsule could safely perform its job before it launches with humans onboard.
However before that flight takes place, the Dragon 2 capsule will need to perform an in-flight abort test,
which could be very explosive.
In this video, we’re going to look at how the abort system is used to protect the astronauts
in the event of a failure.
We’re also going to look at real life examples of the abort system in action and how the
upcoming SpaceX abort test might provide quite a spectacle!
Back in 1983, a Russian Soyuz rocket was scheduled to launch with 2 Cosmonauts onboard.
90 Seconds before liftoff, an enormous fire engulfed the rocket.
The control team triggered the launch escape system which quickly fired up and lifted the
Cosmonauts to safety, just seconds before the rocket exploded.
Upon landing, the Cosmonauts were in good health but slightly shaken, so they were given
vodka and cigarettes to help them relax.
SpaceX have already performed a pad abort test, which would save the astronauts in a
very similar scenario.
However, not all rockets have launch escape systems.
Due to the unique design of the Space Shuttle, it wasn’t practical to have a traditional
launch escape system.
The initial flight of Space Shuttle Columbia included two ejector seats for the pilots,
however these were removed once the Shuttle started flying more than 2 astronauts.
Instead, the Space Shuttle had a wide range of abort modes which the astronauts would
carry out in the event of a failure.
One of these included opening the escape hatch mid-flight with all seven astronauts
bailing out and using parachutes to land.
However, these abort modes would not be able to save the crew in the event of a sudden
failure similar to the Challenger disaster.
The idea for a launch escape system dates back to NASA’s Mercury missions during the early 60's.
In the event of the Atlas rocket failing, the Mercury capsule would instantly fire up
solid rocket motors to pull the capsule away from the rocket.
A very similar system was used during the Apollo missions.
In order to test the Apollo launch escape system, a mockup of the command module was
placed on top of a booster named Little Joe II.
The plan was to launch the rocket and trigger an abort once it reached 10,000 feet.
However, due to a mistake when setting up the gyros, the booster started to roll and
quickly became uncontrollable, causing it to break apart.
This instantly triggered an abort and the launch escape system quickly pulled the
command module to safety.
This unexpected failure provided the most realistic test for the launch escape system.
It was a perfectly successful failure.
The upcoming abort test for the Dragon 2 capsule will follow a very similar plan.
The Falcon 9 will launch as if it was heading towards the International Space Station.
Once it reaches Max Q, the 9 Merlin engines on the Falcon 9
will shutdown to simulate a loss of thrust.
The Dragon capsule will detect this and separate from the Falcon 9 before quickly firing up
its superdraco thrusters to pull it away from the booster.
The Dragon capsule will then deploy a series of parachutes before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.
Once the abort is triggered, the Falcon 9 will become completely unstable, causing it
to break apart whilst travelling at twice the speed of sound.
At this point, the Falcon 9 will be carrying 320,000 pounds of RP-1 fuel and 700,000 pounds
of liquid oxygen.
This oxidizer rich environment will cause most of that fuel to combust instantly, creating
an enormous fireball in the sky.
So as we patiently wait for SpaceX to launch their first humans into space, we can look
forward to this abort test, which promises to be quite a spectacle.
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Thank you very much for watching and I'll see you in the next video.