Crew Dragon’s SuperDraco Engines Fire

May 6, 2015 –Eight SuperDraco engines fire in four pods on the midbody side walls of a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft during the pad abort test at 9 a.m. This is the first spacecraft to have abort engines built into the side walls of a crew cabin. SpaceX is placing the Crew Dragon through a worst-case scenario test in order to reduce risk and refine the design. Data gathered during the development flight from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 will be used as SpaceX continues on the path to certification.

Photo credit: NASA