Orion Max Q abort test

Apparently the Boeing Starliner is the only manned capsule not being
required to do a full up Max Q abort test. I just saw that the test
for Orion is scheduled for TODAY. The test isn't using an SLS (which,
honestly, wouldn't seem to be a requirement) but will launch on old
ICBM solid motors to get the capsule up to Max Q speed and altitude,
at which point the LM abort system will fire to demonstrate its
performance in that aerodynamic regime.


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On 7/2/2019 7:51 AM, Fred J. McCall wrote:
Apparently the Boeing Starliner is the only manned capsule not being
required to do a full up Max Q abort test. I just saw that the test
for Orion is scheduled for TODAY. The test isn't using an SLS (which,
honestly, wouldn't seem to be a requirement) but will launch on old
ICBM solid motors to get the capsule up to Max Q speed and altitude,
at which point the LM abort system will fire to demonstrate its
performance in that aerodynamic regime.

Fred is this happening at the Cape?

Dave

On 7/2/2019 9:02 AM, David Spain wrote:
On 7/2/2019 7:51 AM, Fred J. McCall wrote:
Apparently the Boeing Starliner is the only manned capsule not being
required to do a full up Max Q abort test.Â* I just saw that the test
for Orion is scheduled for TODAY.Â* The test isn't using an SLS (which,
honestly, wouldn't seem to be a requirement) but will launch on old
ICBM solid motors to get the capsule up to Max Q speed and altitude,
at which point the LM abort system will fire to demonstrate its
performance in that aerodynamic regime.

Fred is this happening at the Cape?

Dave

Answered my own question. Yes it was at the Cape, LC-46 and yes it
already took place at 7am EDT (1100 UTC) this morning. You needed to be
an early(ier) bird for this one.

Details available on the NASAspaceflight.com website he

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019...t-test-launch/

According to the article they used a modified Peacekeeper missile using
the SR-118 solid motor. According to Wikipedia this is the first stage
motor from the old MX system. A 500,000 lbf (2.2 MN thrust) Thiokol SR 118.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGM-118_Peacekeeper

Dave

After having skimmed the article, it'd be more fair to characterize this
test as a test of the SLS/Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) minus the
Orion capsule.

Test recorders were placed abort a "test vehicle" designed to duplicate
the Orion capsule on the outside but minus anything on the inside except
for data recorders which are to be ejected during post abort free fall.
The test article has no parachutes and was designed to free fall into
the ocean and not be recoverable only the data recorders.

The objective of the test is to characterize the performance of the LAS
under load conditions similar to what would be experienced by SLS/Orion
at near MAX Q.

IMHO: I'd characterize it as kind of a piece-wise method of testing
rather than an "all-up" scenario. Given the cost of SLS I can understand
the approach. Understand doesn't necessarily mean I agree. I'd need more
data.

Dave

Some photos:

Test article return attitude:
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/statu...304896/photo/1

Water contact...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-eWgOKWkAEfiBj.jpg:large

Dave

In article ,
says...

Apparently the Boeing Starliner is the only manned capsule not being
required to do a full up Max Q abort test.

Yep.

I just saw that the test
for Orion is scheduled for TODAY. The test isn't using an SLS (which,
honestly, wouldn't seem to be a requirement) but will launch on old
ICBM solid motors to get the capsule up to Max Q speed and altitude,
at which point the LM abort system will fire to demonstrate its
performance in that aerodynamic regime.

Yep. Looked successful.

Jeff
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