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.
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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.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
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.