Engineers conducted the first test as part of Phase 1 of the Orion boilerplate test article at NASA's Langley Research Center, on Oct. 18.
Engineers conducted the first test as part of Phase 1 of the Orion boilerplate test article at NASA’s Langley Research Center, on Oct. 18.
The 18,000-pound (8,165 kg) test article – representative of the Orion – was drop tested at a 43-degree relative pitch angle and a 30-degree roll angle and traveled at 27 mph (43 kph) horizontal velocity before splashing down in the Hydro Impact Basin.
Credit: NASA/Sean Smith