Dragon launchpad abort test a success
The competition heats up: SpaceX’s first abort test of its Dragon capsule was completed successfully this morning.
The test not only demonstrated the capsule’s ability to escape the launchpad and land safely in the ocean nearby, it proved that its SuperDraco thrusters have the power to lift the spacecraft off the pad, which also means they have the power to lower the capsule to a soft landing on land.
Video embedded below.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
The competition heats up: SpaceX’s first abort test of its Dragon capsule was completed successfully this morning.
The test not only demonstrated the capsule’s ability to escape the launchpad and land safely in the ocean nearby, it proved that its SuperDraco thrusters have the power to lift the spacecraft off the pad, which also means they have the power to lower the capsule to a soft landing on land.
Video embedded below.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
It was an amazing test to watch. Looked like an Estes model rocket! Goes up super fast, for 2-5 seconds of thrust, then the parachutes pop, and it slowly drifts down.
They hit the 9AM opening of the test window spot on. No delays, no if, ands, or buts.
They do seem like they were underpowered and something was not perfect, but boy it looked good! They landed fairly close to the shore though, some are speculating due to the lower than expected thrust. (The whole schedule was few seconds often due to it).
One of the thrusters may have underperformed, but (apparently) system redundancy ensured success. There’s no better way to identify shortcomings than to perform tests like this one.
I would like to see them do a dry land landing test soon.
But this one was nice.
I hope Gumby their test dummy liked the ride.
I did not know that the SuperDracos are 3D printed. When did they name the test dummy? Maybe he’ll get to retire to the Mythbusters show and hang out with Buster (who is looking a bit worse for the wear)
He has not been named yet but maybe we can come up with a good one and hope it sticks.
I would be nice if he could take his cousin Buster upon the next ride. Buster needs a ride on something that will work right and not make him fall all to pieces.