Using mock-up components, technicians at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico practiced the stacking process that was involved in mating the Orion Pad Abort-1 flight test launch abort system and crew module. The module was integrated with the PA-1 test separation ring and launch stand. The stacking of the mock-up components gave technicians practice with the procedure before using actual launch abort system hardware.
The launch abort system, crew module, and separation ring were developed at Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. The launch stand and pad were developed by NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, where crew module systems were integrated. Dryden led the launch abort flight tests effort for the Orion Project Office, managed at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX.September 23, 2009
NASA / WSMR photo